nationalist 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of nationalistnext
1
as in nationalistic
having or showing excessive favoritism towards one's own country most of the articles on the website are nationalist propaganda and not objective by any means

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2
as in patriotic
having or showing love and support for one's country nationalist fervor is often at its highest when a country is at war

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nationalist

2 of 2

noun

ˈna-sh(ə-)nə-list How to pronounce nationalist (audio)
as in patriot
one who shows excessive favoritism towards his or her country a staunch nationalist who favored any policy that would give the country more power in the international arena

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of nationalist
Adjective
The ruthless, blue-eyed former communist officer turned nationalist warlord was one of the most notorious figures of the conflict that left more than 100,000 people dead and over 1 million homeless. — CBS News, 27 Aug. 2026 Shah has previously made headlines for his fiercely nationalist and provocative posture towards both countries. — Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2026
Noun
The fact that Israel’s current leadership apparently feels more solidarity with European nationalists than with the Continent’s political establishment is a strange irony of the moment. — Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 13 Aug. 2026 Black Dragon Society members forged relationships with Muslim nationalists in Russia and in the Ottoman Empire in order to build a pro-Japanese network. — Mimi Hanaoka, The Conversation, 11 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for nationalist
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nationalist
  1. nationalistic
  2. patriotic
  3. patriot
  4. chauvinist
Adjective
  • The Ridges were as much victims as Ross and the Cherokee that moved were, both were ramshackled by white nationalistic policies and indifference from the government.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Nostalgia, or nationalistic pride, or giving kids names of planets to remember aren;t sufficient reasons to revoke the original IAU decision.
    — Keith Cooper, Space.com, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of nationalistic
Adjective
  • The album combined patriotic standards with original Parton songs.
    — Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 25 Aug. 2026
  • The youngest Americans now rank as the least patriotic in the country’s history.
    — Tom Suozzi, Chicago Tribune, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of patriotic
Noun
  • His fellow longtime patriot in arms, 78-year-old lead singer Brian Johnson, who replaced the late Bon Scott in 1980, brought comparable spark to the stage.
    — Rodney Ho, AJC.com, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The Battle of Red Bank The Battle of Red Bank was a major upset victory for the patriots in what became known as the Philadelphia Campaign, a series of maneuvers and engagements that ultimately resulted in the capture of Philadelphia by the British.
    — Jennifer Janofsky, The Conversation, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of patriot
Noun
  • There really are chauvinists out there.
    — Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 4 June 2026
  • Sacco knows better than most that political chauvinists of all kinds can point to past moments of injury and humiliation to justify any current cruelty or authoritarian project—an especially powerful appeal when those historical injustices are real.
    — Robert Rubsam, The Atlantic, 18 Dec. 2025
Definition of chauvinist

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Cite this Entry

“Nationalist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nationalist. Accessed 3 Sep. 2026.

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