fealty

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "fealty" is correct and can be used in written English.
You could use it when referring to a pledge of loyalty or fidelity to a sovereign or lord, or as a synonym for faithfulness or loyalty. Example sentence: The knight swore fealty to the King and promised to uphold his honor.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Certainly, lavish subsidies and awesomely high GDP growth have not seduced the Tibetans into fealty to Beijing.

The Guardian - Opinion

While America and its allies have dithered over calls to arm more moderate wings of the opposition or to impose no-fly zones, the most alarming militants have grown in clout, including fighters who have sworn fealty to al-Qaeda.

The Economist

Mr Arafat gave up his position as interior minister to Abdel Razak Yihye, a veteran military man known mainly for his fealty to the Palestinian leader.Relinquishing the interior ministry was one of the changes George Tenet, the CIA chief, demanded of Mr Arafat at their meeting in Ramallah on June 4th.

The Economist

And when Mr Ahmadinejad tried to repeat the unprecedented show of fealty he performed at the last such ceremony in 2005 by kissing Mr Khamenei's hand, this time the supreme leader flinched, prompting a clumsy kiss of his shoulder instead.Hardly had the ceremony closed before street protests erupted anew across Tehran.

The Economist

Just days before Mr Lebedev's arrest, another of them, Vladimir Potanin of the Interros group, made a public show of contrition for past excesses and of fealty to United Russia, the coalition in the Duma that backs the Kremlin.So will the St Petersburgers win out?

The Economist

Though officially committed to a banking union, it is sceptical of elements, such as common deposit insurance, that imply mutual guarantees.This vision of Europe is quite different from the emotional European fealty that dominated much of post-war German politics, reaching its zenith with the introduction of the euro itself.

The Economist

If Mr Bush is re-elected, and uses a new team and a new approach to achieve that goal, and shakes off his fealty to an extreme minority, the religious right, then The Economist will wish him well.

The Economist

As a result, they hate him for bursting their collective bubble, and yearn for a fighter who pays appropriate fealty to the sport's sacred clichés to send him to the mat where he belongs.But the only way to root against Mr Mayweather in real time is to hold one's nose and pay to watch his bouts thus giving him the only thing he really wants.

The Economist

It is both, is the answer, with Iraq the main example.In 2004 Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the leading Islamist militant in the Iraqi insurgency until his death in June, named his movement "al-Qaeda in the land of the two rivers", a reference to Iraq, and swore fealty to Mr bin Laden.

The Economist

The politicians who have overseen its growth have little to say to those that resent it.That is partly because they must show fealty to European law and economic reality.

The Economist

The report was so bad that both the police chief and the city manager have resigned.In this section The log-on degree Asians beware It depends what you study, not where Lessons from Ferguson Dear Ayatollah A fresh start Life in the sprawl Paying fealty to farmers ReprintsIn principle, recovering the cost of crime from people who commit it makes sense.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fealty" when referring to historical or formal contexts where a pledge of loyalty or obligation is central. Avoid it in casual conversation.

Common error

Avoid using "fealty" in modern business or informal settings where simpler terms like "loyalty" or "commitment" are more appropriate. "Fealty" carries a historical weight that can sound archaic if misused.

Linguistic Context

The noun "fealty" primarily functions to denote a formal pledge or obligation of loyalty, often within a historical or hierarchical context, as seen in Ludwig's examples from news and encyclopedia sources. This is consistent with Ludwig AI analysis of the term.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Encyclopedias

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fealty" is a grammatically correct noun signifying a formal pledge of loyalty or obligation, often within a historical or hierarchical context. As Ludwig AI explains, it's commonly found in news, encyclopedias, and formal business contexts, indicating its formal register. While synonyms like "loyalty" and "allegiance" exist, "fealty" carries a specific historical weight, making it less suitable for casual usage. Ludwig's examples from authoritative sources like The Economist and Encyclopedia Britannica, showcase its use in describing political allegiances and historical obligations. Therefore, while "fealty" is correct and usable, its specific connotations must be considered for appropriate application.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

vassalage

Specifically denotes the condition of being a vassal, emphasizing subservience within a feudal system, very closely related to "fealty" but focused on the position rather than the obligation.

allegiance

A more general term for loyalty or commitment to a person, group, or cause, lacking the historical feudal context of "fealty".

loyalty

A broad term indicating faithfulness and devotion, simpler and more commonly used in modern contexts than "fealty".

devotion

Emphasizes dedication and strong affection or admiration, often implying a deeper emotional connection than "fealty".

fidelity

Stresses faithfulness to obligations, duties, or promises, suitable in both formal and informal contexts, unlike the more formal "fealty".

faithfulness

Highlights steadfast adherence to someone or something, lacking the historical and hierarchical implications of "fealty".

homage

Emphasizes respect and reverence, often publicly expressed, shifting the focus from obligation to admiration compared to "fealty".

subservience

Highlights obedience and submission to authority, lacking the element of voluntary commitment implied in "fealty".

obeisance

Focuses on deferential respect or a gesture of submission, rather than the broader commitment of loyalty suggested by "fealty".

duty

Highlights the moral or legal obligation to someone or something, without necessarily implying the personal loyalty found in "fealty".

FAQs

How is "fealty" typically used in a sentence?

"Fealty" is often used to describe a formal pledge of loyalty, as in "The knight swore "fealty" to the king." It can also refer to general faithfulness.

What words can I substitute for "fealty"?

Depending on the context, you can use words like "allegiance", "loyalty", or "fidelity". Consider the nuance you want to convey.

Is "fealty" a common word in modern English?

While grammatically correct, "fealty" is not as commonly used as synonyms like "loyalty". It is more often found in historical or formal writing.

What's the difference between "fealty" and "loyalty"?

"Fealty" often implies a formal, historically rooted obligation, such as that between a vassal and a lord. "Loyalty" is a broader term that suggests faithfulness and devotion in various contexts.