patriotic

adjective

pa·​tri·​ot·​ic ˌpā-trē-ˈä-tik 

 chiefly British  ˌpa-

1

: inspired by patriotism

stirring patriotic songs

patriotic organizations

patriotic feelings

2

: befitting or characteristic of a patriot

patriotically

ˌpā-trē-ˈä-ti-k(ə-)lē 

 chiefly British  ˌpa-

adverb

Synonyms

• nationalistic
• nationalist

Examples of patriotic in a Sentence

A patriotic fervor swept the country.

hanging a flag outside one's home is a patriotic gesture

Recent Examples on the Web

This shift toward domestic sourcing sounds patriotic in theory, but the reality is more complex. —Phil Lempert, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025

The response to this development — of Wall Street buying Main Street, or at least some of its cul-de-sacs — has been bipartisan, populist and patriotic condemnation. —Alex Mayyasi, NPR, 9 Sep. 2025

These groups promote pro-Beijing propaganda, support Belt and Road Initiative projects, and echo Chinese patriotic rhetoric. —Mike Kuiken, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025

In terms of patriotic bragging rights, once again, Italy has the most pizzerias in the top 100 (actually, because of ties, there are 107 restaurants listed) with 41 restaurants making the cut. —Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 8 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1737, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for patriotic

• abiotic
• aeronautic
• apoptotic
• asymptotic
• cyanotic
• eukaryotic
• idiotic
• meiotic
• prebiotic
• probiotic
• prokaryotic
• semiotic

Kids Definition

patriotic

adjective

pa·​tri·​ot·​ic ˌpā-trē-ˈät-ik 

1

: having or showing patriotism

2

: suitable or proper for a patriot

patriotically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb