staunchly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "staunchly" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe someone who is firm and steadfast in their beliefs or opinions. Example: "She staunchly defended her position on climate change during the debate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"There is a critical difference between staunchly supporting expression that violates the acceptable, and enthusiastically rewarding such expression," the letter reads.

The Guardian - Books

The film jumps a decade to show Rhodes (played staunchly by Walter Huston) freaking out his shareholders by attempting to diversify into gold.

The Guardian - Film

It is staunchly pro-US, but has a sometimes defiant stance towards other European partners, which has created tensions in the past with the EU and neighbouring Germany.

The Guardian

The classic electoral coalition between peasantry and middle class which once underpinned Christian Democracy on the continent (and which also staunchly supported European integration) has long disintegrated.

The Guardian - Opinion

The objection is embodied by a letter that more than 200 PEN members have signed, "there is a critical difference between staunchly supporting expression that violates the acceptable, and enthusiastically rewarding such expression".

The Guardian

Cochran's victory over Chris McDaniel, a staunchly conservative state senator, was far from decisive and appeared to rely on Democratic-leaning African American voters crossing over to vote in the Republican primary.

The Guardian

But the night will be remembered for Cochran's narrow victory on the back of an unlikely coalition that included some at least some black voters and Democrats – and the refusal of his staunchly conservative opponent to accept a defeat of that nature.

The Guardian

Although Indi has become a focal point for the media due to Mirabella's controversial public image and the threat to her seemingly safe 9.5% margin, Liberals argue that large demographic shifts in Wangaratta and Wodonga means that the seat is no longer staunchly agricultural and so no longer reliably conservative.

The Guardian

One issue between them has been Gergiev's attempt to subsume the academy under the umbrella organisation of the Mariinksy, something that the Vaganova has staunchly resisted.

The Guardian

However, the Labor vote has collapsed by around 17% in Indi, which is traditionally a staunchly conservative seat.

The Guardian

The decision to honour Charlie Hebdo has bitterly divided the literary community, with over 200 members of PEN signing a letter that said: "there is a critical difference between staunchly supporting expression that violates the acceptable, and enthusiastically rewarding such expression".

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "staunchly" to emphasize a firm and unwavering stance, particularly in situations involving principles, beliefs, or loyalties. Ensure the context aligns with the sense of resolute support or opposition.

Common error

Avoid using "staunchly" in casual or informal settings where simpler adverbs like "strongly" or "firmly" would be more appropriate. "Staunchly" adds a level of formality and intensity that may be out of place.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "staunchly" is to modify a verb, adjective, or another adverb, functioning as an adverb of manner. It describes how an action is performed or to what extent a state exists. As Ludwig AI highlights, it often emphasizes unwavering support or opposition.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "staunchly" is a grammatically correct and frequently used adverb that signifies a firm and unwavering stance. It's most commonly found in news and media contexts to emphasize strong support or opposition. While versatile, it's best reserved for situations where a high degree of commitment or loyalty is intended. As Ludwig AI confirms, the term is correct and usable in written English, suggesting that using it is a safe bet for writers aiming to convey resolute conviction.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

firmly

Indicates a strong and resolute stance, similar to "staunchly" but can also imply a physical steadiness.

resolutely

Emphasizes determination and unwavering commitment, closely mirroring the steadfastness of "staunchly".

steadfastly

Highlights unwavering loyalty and dedication, akin to "staunchly" in supporting a cause or belief.

unwaveringly

Focuses on the absence of doubt or hesitation, sharing the unwavering nature of "staunchly".

doggedly

Implies a persistent and tenacious approach, similar to "staunchly" in maintaining a position or belief.

tenaciously

Stresses the act of holding firmly, similar to "staunchly", highlighting the strength of adherence.

robustly

Indicates strength and vigor in support, slightly different from "staunchly" but fitting when emphasizing strong backing.

zealously

Highlights enthusiastic and passionate support, less about steadfastness than "staunchly" but still relevant in some contexts.

ardently

Emphasizes passionate and fervent support, conveying a strong emotional connection similar to "staunchly".

stubbornly

Implies an unyielding and sometimes unreasonable adherence, sharing the firmness of "staunchly" but with a negative connotation.

FAQs

How can I use "staunchly" in a sentence?

You can use "staunchly" to describe someone who firmly supports or defends something. For example, "He "staunchly" defended his position on the matter."

What's a good alternative to "staunchly"?

Depending on the context, alternatives like "firmly", "resolutely", or "steadfastly" can be used instead of "staunchly".

Is it correct to say someone is "staunchly" against something?

Yes, it's perfectly acceptable to use "staunchly" to indicate strong opposition. For example, "She is "staunchly" against the proposed changes."

What is the difference between "staunchly" and "strongly"?

"Staunchly" implies a more unwavering and principled stance, whereas "strongly" simply indicates intensity. "Staunchly" is often used in contexts involving loyalty or deeply held beliefs.