Words / B2

LOY-uh-list/ˈlɔɪəlɪst/

A loyalist is someone who stays faithful to a government, party, or cause, especially in a conflict: a loyalist volunteer; unionist and loyalist in Irish history. Loyal is the adjective (already in the dictionary); supporter is weaker. Distinguish a loyalist from a government soldier in the source. Mix-up: royalist supports a monarch; loyalty is the noun quality. Do not call every government voter a loyalist in a Northern Ireland paper without the historical sense.

Meaning

A person who stays faithful to a government, party, or cause, especially in a conflict.

Examples

• “The source distinguishes a loyalist volunteer from a government soldier.”
• “Party loyalists blocked the leadership challenge, which is the faction sense.”

Good to know

a loyalist; loyalist + noun. Adjective: loyal. Contrast: royalist. Trap: loyalty (the quality). History and politics. A side in a conflict, not mere fandom.

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