The adjective cognizant implies more understanding, attentiveness, and reasoning than simple sensory awareness. One can be aware of a sound in the distance, but such a state does not necessarily suggest any sort of deliberate recognition or engagement with its occurrence. Cognizant is frequently used in the phrase cognizant of the fact to indicate that a person has incorporated knowledge or understanding of something into their decision-making process.

Loyal and steadfast are words you can rely on. The adjective loyal implies allegiance to a person, organization, cause or idea. Steadfast means literally “fixed in place”—such as an immovable structure. But more often steadfast is used figuratively to indicate undeviating constancy or resolution. A steadfast friend, then, is someone who is “fixed in place” by your side, so to speak, and who will maintain that position come what may.

To be careful is to be cautious in one’s actions. To be scrupulous is to be especially attentive to and conscientious about every last detail. Scrupulous comes from the word scruple, which is defined as “a moral or ethical consideration or standard that acts as a restraining force or inhibits certain actions,” and indeed, the adjective also suggests being principled or having moral or ethical standards.