loyalists

loyalists — noun

1. people who continue to support their country's existing government or leader, es

1.名詞B2
釋義

people who continue to support their country's existing government or leader, especially during a time of rebellion, war, or major political change

例句

When the rebels seized the radio station, General Okafor and his loyalists launched a counter-attack.

collocation: loyalists + military context

President Barzani's loyalists filled the main square, waving flags and chanting slogans in his defense.

possessive: [leader]'s loyalists

同義詞
  • supporters

    broader term — can support any cause, person, or team, not only a government during crisis

  • followers

    more personal — emphasizes allegiance to a leader rather than a political institution

  • royalists

    restricted to supporters of a monarch or monarchy, often during a civil war

  • partisans

    can imply active, sometimes military, support; may also refer to resistance fighters against an occupying force

反義詞
  • rebels

    people who fight against the established government or ruler

  • insurgents

    those who rise in active revolt against authority

文法句型

loyalist + verb

loyalists of [person/institution]

用法筆記

Common in historical and political writing about civil wars, revolutions, and regime changes. Often paired with a possessive noun or prepositional phrase naming the leader or institution supported.

常見錯誤

❌The loyalists supported the rebels.
✅The loyalists supported the government.
💡Loyalists support the existing ruler, not those trying to overthrow it.
❌He is a loyalist to the company.
✅He is a loyal employee of the company.
💡Loyalist is reserved for political or military allegiance, not everyday workplace loyalty.

2. people from Northern Ireland who believe the region should remain part of the Un

2.名詞C1
釋義

people from Northern Ireland who believe the region should remain part of the United Kingdom rather than join the Republic of Ireland

例句

On July 12, loyalists led by Councillor David Moore marched through Belfast carrying Union Jack flags.

cultural reference: July 12 parade tradition

Many loyalists in East Belfast felt betrayed when the British government opened talks with Irish republicans.

同義詞
  • unionists

    broader term for those who support Northern Ireland remaining in the UK; loyalists are a subset who emphasize cultural and sometimes paramilitary expression

  • Ulster loyalists

    emphasizes the historical Ulster region and often implies a more hardline stance

反義詞
  • republicans

    people in Northern Ireland who want the region to leave the UK and join the Republic of Ireland

  • nationalists

    broader term for those who support Irish unification

文法句型

the loyalists

loyalist + noun (community, leaders, area)

用法筆記

This sense is specific to Northern Ireland politics and is closely related to unionism. Do not use it interchangeably with sense 1 — the Northern Ireland loyalist sense refers to a particular political position in a regional conflict, not general government support. Frequently appears in news reports about Northern Ireland.

常見錯誤

❌The loyalists in Scotland want to leave the UK.
✅The loyalists in Northern Ireland want to stay in the UK.
💡This sense refers only to Northern Ireland, not to pro-UK sentiment elsewhere.
❌Chinese loyalists support the government.
✅Chinese government supporters back the ruling party.
💡Do not apply the Northern Ireland sense to other countries; use sense 1 for general government support.