adjective

staunch

/stɔːntʃ/ · say it: stawnch

loyal and committed

In Sophisticated Everyday

In more detail

1. (adjective) loyal and committed to something or someone; not changing your support

2. (adjective) firm and strongly built; solid

3. (verb) to stop the flow of blood from a wound

Examples

1. She is a staunch supporter of environmental protection.
2. The old house had staunch wooden beams that held for centuries.
3. The nurse used a bandage to staunch the bleeding.

How to use staunch

As an adjective meaning loyal, staunch describes unwavering commitment or support, often used for political allies, religious believers, or long-standing principles; it carries a formal or literary tone and emphasizes principled steadfastness rather than emotional attachment. The verb meaning to stop bleeding is less common in everyday use. The adjective form emphasizing solid construction (sense 2) is now archaic.

Common phrases

staunch supporter
staunch ally
staunch defender
staunch advocate
staunch believer
staunch opposition

Synonyms

loyal · dedicated · steadfast · unwavering · committed

Opposites

disloyal · wavering · halfhearted

Word family

staunchly (adverb) · staunchness (noun)

A common mistake

Learners sometimes confuse staunch with 'stanch' (an alternative spelling that exists mainly in the verb form); both are correct, but 'staunch' is strongly preferred for the adjective sense.

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