steadfast
adjective
Ellen Glasgow
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Steadfast has held its ground for many centuries. Its Old English predecessor, stedefæst, combines stede, meaning "place," and fæst, meaning "fixed." Steadfast was first used in battle contexts to describe warriors who literally stood their ground, which led to its "immovable" sense, as when Sinclair Lewis wrote of "a castle, steadfast among storms." (The word was also once used to describe steady hands, as well as substances that keep their solid, firm state.) These senses were soon joined by one applied to people's character, implying unswerving faith, loyalty, or devotion; arriving in the 12th century, this meaning has remained steady in the English language ever since.
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Examples of steadfast in a Sentence
Sam Vecenie, The Athletic, 20 Jan. 2025
In contrast, Pence, speaking at an educational forum in Taipei, expressed his belief that the United States should remain steadfast in its commitments.
—Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 17 Jan. 2025
The path forward isn’t always clear, but McWilliams Parker’s approach remains steadfast.
—Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 15 Jan. 2025
While many Republicans withheld support for the former Fox News host, Trump remained steadfast in his defense secretary pick.
—Rachel Raposas, People.com, 14 Jan. 2025
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Dictionary Entries Near steadfast
Cite this Entry
“Steadfast.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/steadfast. Accessed 24 Jan. 2025.
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steadfast
adjective
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