nationalistic
adjective
na·tion·al·is·tic
ˌna-sh(ə-)nə-ˈli-stik 
1
: of, favoring, or characterized by nationalism
As increasingly nationalistic, authoritarian regimes in eastern Europe trampled on the rights of all minorities in the economically beleaguered 1930s, the ethnic German communities were easily tempted by National Socialism.—
Christopher R. Browning
Christopher R. BrowningHis thinking also took a peculiarly nationalistic bent, emphasizing that Buddhism had declined in India and China in turn and that Japan was now the central land of the religion.—Edwin O. Reischauer
Edwin O. Reischauer2
: of or relating to a nation
The team split its schedule between the U.S. and Mexico for 17 of the next 18 seasons before cultural and nationalistic differences between players and officials … bubbled to the top.—Kevin Baxter
Kevin BaxterExamples of nationalistic in a Sentence
the political party's nationalistic ideology
a nationalistic display of the country's flag at all civic events
Recent Examples on the Web
To add nationalistic insult to injury, the head of Wardex isn’t even American.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2026
In this way, the two most powerful leaders in the world, both of whom are pursuing nationalistic economic programs, could be on track to make their respective countries economically weaker.
—Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 3 June 2026
Germany was long seen as hesitant to appear overly militaristic or nationalistic, but the Ukraine war — and now the Iran conflict — has pushed Berlin to increase defense spending and crystallize its own national interests.
—Semafor Events, semafor.com, 24 Apr. 2026
Regardless of how nationalistic Jews felt as Hungarians, anti-semitism was on the rise in Hungary throughout the 1930s.
—Marcy Thompson, Scientific American, 16 Apr. 2026
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Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2026
In this way, the two most powerful leaders in the world, both of whom are pursuing nationalistic economic programs, could be on track to make their respective countries economically weaker.
—Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 3 June 2026
Germany was long seen as hesitant to appear overly militaristic or nationalistic, but the Ukraine war — and now the Iran conflict — has pushed Berlin to increase defense spending and crystallize its own national interests.
—Semafor Events, semafor.com, 24 Apr. 2026
Regardless of how nationalistic Jews felt as Hungarians, anti-semitism was on the rise in Hungary throughout the 1930s.
—Marcy Thompson, Scientific American, 16 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for nationalistic
Cite this Entry
“Nationalistic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nationalistic. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
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