less than loyal

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less than loyal" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is not fully committed or faithful to a person, cause, or principle. Example: "His actions during the meeting revealed that he was less than loyal to the team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

They feel they were vilified after 9/11, being considered somehow less than loyal Americans, and fear that talking could attract unwanted attention from law enforcement.

The New York Times

During Bonnet's early career, his crew seems to have been less than loyal to him and to have greatly preferred the more charismatic and experienced Blackbeard.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Hoeppner was hired from Miami of Ohio in late 2004 to rebuild a foundering program with a less-than-loyal fan base and an 8-27 record in the previous three seasons.

The New York Times - Sports

"It was disillusioning, disappointing to have the Gore camp attacking Bradley as a less-than-loyal Democrat," said Robert H. Rawson Jr., managing partner of the Cleveland law firm Jones, Day, Reavis & Pogue.

The New York Times

Less Than Jake.

WikiHow

That is nothing less than her loyal subjects expect of her.

The New York Times

Venus, while never anything less than intensely loyal, has managed to distance herself a little from her father, as befits a 21-year-old who has proved her championship credentials.

The Guardian - Sport

Speech's style has always been less Snoop Dogg than loyal puppy; and though he avoids outright preaching, his faith is never far from the surface.

The Guardian - Music

Needed is a director less ego-driven than J. Edgar Hoover, less politically loyal than L. Patrick Gray and less bureaucratically naïve than William Sessions.

The New York Times

(Windsor is only slightly less aesthetically loyal than a woman to whom she is often compared: Rosa Parks, who said, in 1980, "I never cut my hair because my husband liked it this way. It's a lot of trouble, and he's been dead a number of years, but I still can't bring myself to cut it").

The New Yorker

"Boomers are less brand loyal than younger people," Poltrack insists, citing his voluminous consumer research.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "less than loyal", consider the degree of disloyalty you want to convey. It implies a partial lack of loyalty, not necessarily complete betrayal.

Common error

Avoid using "less than loyal" when you mean complete disloyalty or betrayal. The phrase indicates a deficiency in loyalty, not its total absence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less than loyal" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun or pronoun. It describes a state of diminished loyalty, indicating that someone or something does not possess the expected or complete level of faithfulness or commitment. Ludwig AI confirms this usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "less than loyal" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase. It serves as an adjective phrase to describe a state of diminished loyalty, implying a partial lack of faithfulness rather than complete betrayal. While Ludwig AI confirms it can be used across various contexts, it's most prevalent in News & Media and Wiki. Consider the specific degree of disloyalty you wish to convey when using this phrase to ensure accurate and nuanced communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat disloyal

This alternative directly replaces "less than loyal" with a more concise expression of disloyalty.

not entirely faithful

This phrase softens the negative connotation slightly by using "faithful" instead of "loyal".

not fully committed

This shifts the focus from loyalty to commitment, implying a lack of dedication.

wavering in loyalty

This suggests an active process of becoming less loyal rather than a static state.

lacking complete allegiance

This uses more formal language to convey the absence of full loyalty.

showing signs of disaffection

This phrase emphasizes the outward indicators of a declining loyalty.

having divided loyalties

This indicates that loyalty is split between multiple parties or causes.

not as devoted as before

This implies a decline in devotion over time.

questionably faithful

This suggests doubt or uncertainty about someone's loyalty.

giving only partial support

This shifts the focus to the actions taken, rather than the feeling of loyalty.

FAQs

How can I use "less than loyal" in a sentence?

You can use "less than loyal" to describe someone who isn't fully committed or faithful. For example, "His actions during the negotiation revealed that he was "less than loyal" to the company."

What's a more direct way to say "less than loyal"?

Alternatives include "somewhat disloyal", "not entirely faithful", or "not fully committed", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "less loyal" or "less than loyal"?

"Less loyal" is grammatically correct, but ""less than loyal"" adds emphasis and can soften the negative implication. Both are usable, but the latter is often chosen for nuance.

What's the difference between "less than loyal" and "disloyal"?

"Less than loyal" suggests a partial lack of loyalty, while "disloyal" implies a complete absence or betrayal of loyalty. The former is a milder expression.