noun
- a person who remains loyal to a government, ruler, or cause, especially during a time of revolt or change
- an American colonist who supported the British government during the American Revolution
Usage: historical
Examples
- The loyalists refused to join the rebellion against the king.
- Many loyalists fled to Canada after the American Revolution.
- She remained a loyalist to the party despite its recent scandals.
- The loyalist forces fought alongside the British troops.
- Loyalists were often persecuted by their revolutionary neighbors.
- He was branded a loyalist for supporting the unpopular regime.