allegiance

noun

ə-ˈlē-jən(t)s How to pronounce allegiance (audio)
Definition of allegiancenext
as in loyalty
adherence to something to which one is bound by a pledge or duty torn between his allegiance to his native country and the opportunities a sports career in the U.S. could offer

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word allegiance distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of allegiance are devotion, fealty, fidelity, loyalty, and piety. While all these words mean "faithfulness to something to which one is bound by pledge or duty," allegiance suggests an adherence like that of citizens to their country.

pledging allegiance

When might devotion be a better fit than allegiance?

While the synonyms devotion and allegiance are close in meaning, devotion stresses zeal and service amounting to self-dedication.

a painter's devotion to her art

When would fealty be a good substitute for allegiance?

Although the words fealty and allegiance have much in common, fealty implies a fidelity acknowledged by the individual and as compelling as a sworn vow.

fealty to the truth

When could fidelity be used to replace allegiance?

The words fidelity and allegiance can be used in similar contexts, but fidelity implies strict and continuing faithfulness to an obligation, trust, or duty.

marital fidelity

In what contexts can loyalty take the place of allegiance?

The words loyalty and allegiance are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, loyalty implies a faithfulness that is steadfast in the face of any temptation to renounce, desert, or betray.

valued the loyalty of his friends

When can piety be used instead of allegiance?

The meanings of piety and allegiance largely overlap; however, piety stresses fidelity to obligations regarded as natural and fundamental.

filial piety

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of allegiance Jenner shared several social media posts declaring allegiance with Israel and showing sites of the country and subsequent chaos. —Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 13 June 2025 One America News Network makes no secret of its allegiance to Trump. —Arkansas Online, 8 June 2025 Police shot and killed Mateen, who had pledged allegiance to an Islamic State militant group. —Skyler Swisher, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 June 2025 Gray takes a rather more conventional approach here to the genre tropes in Lee Zachariah’s sturdy screenplay, but provides more than enough rapid-fire shootouts, impressive stunt choreography, shifting allegiances and moderately clever plot twists to keep things interesting. —Joe Leydon, Variety, 13 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for allegiance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for allegiance
  1. loyalty
  2. commitment
  3. dedication
  4. devotion
  5. fidelity
Noun
  • Your ability to fully engage with your team, even for a few minutes, can build trust and loyalty far faster than long meetings filled with distractions.
    — Dr. Eric George, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025
  • At the checkout and after entering your Kroger loyalty ID or scanning a loyalty card, shoppers can scan a barcode on the flyer that downloads all the Weekly Digital Deals offered that week at once to the customer's loyalty card.
    — Susan Selasky, Freep.com, 8 July 2025
Definition of loyalty
Noun
  • Yes, Trump disdains core elements of U.S. globalism, from the international trade system America established to its promotion of democratic values and its defense commitments around the world.
    — Hal Brands, Twin Cities, 13 July 2025
  • The State Department did not respond to requests by ABC News for the current data on its assistance commitments to Sudan after foreign aid freezes and layoffs.
    — Chris Boccia, ABC News, 13 July 2025
Definition of commitment
Noun
  • Duckworth encourages readers to cultivate long-term dedication to their goals, overcome setbacks, and maintain a growth mindset to achieve excellence.
    — Jann E. Freed, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
  • Soliman's case has attracted wide attention since about 75 supporters held a press conference about his case just after his arrest: Local parents and medical professionals have been writing the immigration court, extolling his dedication to sick children.
    — Patricia Gallagher Newberry, The Enquirer, 14 July 2025
Definition of dedication
Noun
  • Finally playing alongside her in Chicago, what stood out wasn’t just Parker’s talent, but her relentless devotion while juggling motherhood, a broadcasting career and a championship run.
    — Anthony De Leon, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2025
  • Paul Libin’s devotion to both the artistry and the humanity of the theater made an indelible mark on Broadway and stages beyond.
    — Greg Evans, Deadline, 29 June 2025
Definition of devotion
Noun
  • Of course, a gaming monitor would easily increase your graphical fidelity, budget allowing.
    — Jade Chung-Lee, PC Magazine, 24 June 2025
  • The company put out a remake of The Wind Waker in 2013 for the Wii U, which included — among other things — a bump in fidelity to glorious HD.
    — Luke Winkie, Vulture, 18 June 2025
Definition of fidelity

Browse Nearby Words

alleges
allegiance
alleging
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Allegiance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/allegiance. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on allegiance

Nglish: Translation of allegiance for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Words You Always Have to Look Up

Using Bullet Points ( • )

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Words You Always Have to Look Up
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ten Painless Ways to Improve Your Vocabulary

How 'Namaste' Entered The English Language

Our Best Historical Slang Terms

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

12 Words Whose History Will Surprise You
See More

Popular

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Ten Painless Ways to Improve Your Vocabulary

How 'Namaste' Entered The English Language
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a plate of arepas
Name That Dish! Some mouth-watering food for thought
See All