Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Physically strong and robust: Describes a person who is sturdy, muscular, and capable of enduring hardship.
   • Loyal, dependable, and unwavering: Describes a person who shows firm and steadfast support, especially for a cause, organization, or person.

2. Noun:

   • A loyal, reliable, and strong supporter: A person who is fiercely loyal to a group, cause, or leader, often through difficult times.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • The firefighters were stalwart in their efforts to control the blaze.
  • She has been a stalwart defender of human rights for decades.
  • He was a man of stalwart build, well-suited for the physical labor.

• Noun:

  • The party's stalwarts gathered to plan the campaign strategy.
  • Even during the scandal, the old stalwarts of the club refused to leave.

Advanced Usage

• "Stalwart of [something]": A key, dependable pillar of an institution or community.
  • She is considered a stalwart of the local theater scene.
• Describing abstract strength:
  • The company showed stalwart resistance to the hostile takeover attempt.

Variants and Related Words

• Stalwartly (adverb): In a loyal, dependable, or physically strong manner.
  • He stood stalwartly by his principles.
• Stalwartness (noun): The quality of being stalwart.
  • Her stalwartness in the face of criticism was admirable.

Synonyms

• Adjective (strong): Sturdy, hardy, robust, stout, rugged.
• Adjective (loyal): Staunch, steadfast, unwavering, resolute, faithful.
• Noun: Supporter, partisan, loyalist, mainstay.

Antonyms

• Adjective (strong): Weak, frail, feeble.
• Adjective (loyal): Disloyal, unfaithful, fickle.
• Noun: Turncoat, traitor, defector.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• A stalwart ally: A very reliable and strong supporter in an alliance.
  • The two nations have been stalwart allies for a century.
• To stand stalwart: To remain firm and unwavering in position or support.
  • The community stood stalwart against the development plans.

Adjective

1. used especially of persons
   • a stalwart knight
   • a stouthearted fellow who had an active career in the army
2. dependable
   • the stalwart citizens at Lexington
   • a stalwart supporter of the UN
   • stout hearts
3. having rugged physical strength; inured to fatigue or hardships
   • hardy explorers of northern Canada
   • proud of her tall stalwart son
   • stout seamen
   • sturdy young athletes

Noun

1. a person who is loyal to their allegiance (especially in times of revolt)