nativism

noun

na·​tiv·​ism ˈnā-ti-ˌvi-zəm 

1

: a policy of favoring native inhabitants as opposed to immigrants

2

: the revival or perpetuation of an indigenous culture especially in opposition to acculturation

nativist

ˈnā-ti-vist 

noun or adjective

nativistic

ˌnā-ti-ˈvi-stik 

adjective

Examples of nativism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Yes, America has stumbled at times—anti-Catholic nativism, Mormon expulsions, and recent antisemitic and anti-Muslim acts have exposed gaps between ideal and reality. —Kevin Sabet, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 May 2025

Rather than pandering to the nativism of an aging minority, politicians in Europe and North America should think seriously about how to preserve the economic vitality of the West. —Charles Kenny, Foreign Affairs, 11 Nov. 2019

President Donald Trump’s unilateralism, neo-isolationism, protectionism, and nativism were anathema to most of the U.S. foreign policy establishment. —Charles A. Kupchan, Foreign Affairs, 20 Apr. 2021

The consequences of nativism and NIMBYism can be dire. —Masha Rumer, Mercury News, 8 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1844, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for nativism

• autism
• fascism
• racism
• sikhism
• statism
• sufism
• thomism
• tourism
• tropism
• abolitionism
• aldosteronism
• americanism