staunchstaunch1 /stɔːntʃ $ stɒːntʃ, stɑːntʃ/ adjective [only before noun] 
a staunch conservativestaunch supporter/ally/advocate one of Bush’s staunchest supporters—staunchly adverb—staunchness noun [uncountable]
WORD ORIGINstaunch1
Origin:
1400-1500 Old French estanche, from estancher; ➔ STAUNCH2EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- staunch allies
- He has been a staunch supporter of the Liberal Party for over thirty years.
- The US has been a staunch ally of ours for many years now.
- A staunch anti-communist, Craxi became party secretary in 1976 after a palace coup.
- Both men are staunch conservatives, but of the two Lott is the more ideological and aggressive.
- Entrepreneurs immediately became staunch patriots, and agreed to pay wages only at the official rate.
- For staunch opponents, there is mounting concern about a political and legal climate that more readily fosters capital punishment.
- However, after learning of the Midway plan, he became one of its staunchest supporters.
- None the less, the forces of change may weaken even the most staunch set of beliefs.
- When I read the script, I thought he was a sentient man, a staunch fella.
- While he denies substantive impacts, he is a staunch political conservative.
THESAURUS
continuing to support a person, party, belief etc for a long time: · his long and faithful service to the party· his faithful servant· He remained faithful to his fatherland right to the end.· She was one of the party’s most faithful and hard-working members.
supporting a particular person, party, set of beliefs, etc – used especially about someone you can can trust and depend on to support you: · a loyal friend· loyal party members· The women have remained loyal to the goals of the Communist Party.· I am not blindly loyal. If I see something that I think is a mistake which could be handled better, I will say so.
strongly supporting someone or something because you admire them, love them, or enjoy what they do: · the author’s devoted fans· her devoted husband
[only before noun] a staunch supporter, defender, or allyis very loyal, in spite of problems or difficulties: · He is a staunch supporter of the president.· a staunch defender of civil liberties· the US’s staunchest ally
[usually before noun] a steadfast friend or supporter is very loyal. Also used about someone’s support or service: · Lewis was a generous and steadfast friend.· the steadfast support of America's allies· The Queen has set a shining example of steadfast service to her country.
faithful and loyal to someone, or to your beliefs, principles etc, even if there are problems: · In times like these you find out who your true friends are.· He remained true to his socialist principles.· She promised that she would always be true to him.
feeling a lot of love and respect for your country: · Americans are very patriotic.· His speech was full of patriotic rhetoric.
Longman Language Activatorloyal someone who is loyal can be trusted to always give help or support to their friends, their country, their political party etc: · Many of the party's loyal supporters have begun to question his leadership.· She has been a good and loyal friend to me.loyal to: · The army remained loyal to the president.
someone who is faithful continues to support or serve someone for a long time: · The band still has a large number of faithful followers.· The majority of Mark's supporters remained faithful throughout the crisis.· His faithful dog Hachiko waited for him.faithful to: · Many older people still remain faithful to the party.
: devoted follower/friend/husband etc a follower, friend etc who is very loyal to a person because they care deeply about them or because they enjoy or support what they do: · He described Mr Edwards as "a good man and a devoted husband."· Thousands of devoted fans waited in the rain for the group to arrive.
: staunch supporter/ally/friend etc someone who continues to be a strong supporter or a good friend in spite of problems or difficulties: · The US has been a staunch ally of ours for many years now.· He has been a staunch supporter of the Liberal Party for over thirty years.
to give support to a friend or country that is in difficulty: · I was lucky that my family all stuck by me when I was in prison.· She said she would stand by him whatever happened.· They were supposed to be our allies but they didn't stand by us when war broke out.
to be loyal to someone, especially a close friend or someone you love - used especially in stories: · You've been true to me all these years. How can I reward you?· They would remain true to their old friend no matter what happened.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY one of Bush’s staunchest supportersCOLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES a staunch ally (=very close ally) of President Soares
giving strong loyal support to another person, organization, belief etc SYN steadfast: one of Bush’s staunchest supporters a staunch ally (=very close ally) of President Soares (=a strong and loyal supporter)· Even his staunchest supporters acknowledge that he is unlikely to win.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSNOUN· Nevertheless, even the staunchest advocates of non-legal solutions to truancy seem to accept that legal procedures must continue to be available.
· Both men are staunch conservatives, but of the two Lott is the more ideological and aggressive.· Forbes is a staunch conservative, but the liberal Jerry Brown once proposed a similar plan.
· Mrs Chan, Hong Kong's most popular public official, consistently proved a staunch defender of its autonomy.
· A staunch supporter of the Good Friday agreement, he is the first victim of the Troubles since July.· However, after learning of the Midway plan, he became one of its staunchest supporters.· The occasion will, I hear, attract Mrs T's staunchest supporters.
a staunch conservativestaunch supporter/ally/advocate one of Bush’s staunchest supporters—staunchly adverb—staunchness noun [uncountable]