jingoism

noun

jin·​go·​ism ˈjiŋ-(ˌ)gō-ˌi-zəm 

: extreme chauvinism or nationalism marked especially by a belligerent foreign policy

jingoist

ˈjiŋ-(ˌ)gō-ist 

noun or adjective

jingoistic

ˌjiŋ-gō-ˈi-stik 

adjective

jingoistically

ˌjiŋ-gō-ˈi-sti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Did you know?

Jingoism Got Its Start in the 19th Century

Jingoism originated during the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-1878, when many British citizens were hostile toward Russia and felt Britain should intervene in the conflict. Supporters of the cause expressed their sentiments in a music-hall ditty with this refrain:

We don't want to fight, yet by jingo if we do,

We've got the ships, we've got the men,

We've got the money, too!

Someone holding the attitude implied in the song became known as a jingo or jingoist, and the attitude itself was dubbed jingoism. The jingo in the tune is probably a euphemism for Jesus.

Synonyms

• nationalism
• patriotism
• chauvinism

Examples of jingoism in a Sentence

When the war began many people were caught up in a wave of jingoism.

his loudmouthed jingoism will not win us any foreign allies

Recent Examples on the Web

India's jingoism and war hysteria should be a source of serious concern for the world. —Peter Aitken gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 May 2025

As for the Russian soldiers, their remarks are a mix of jingoism and resignation. —Ben Kenigsberg, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025

Sushant Singh, a lecturer in South Asian studies at Yale University and a former Indian military officer, said that the jingoism surrounding the attacks eclipses the security and political failures. —Omkar Khandekar, NPR, 23 Apr. 2025

And jingoism, idiotic, is not patriotism. —Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 7 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

see jingo entry 2

First Known Use

1878, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for jingoism

• dichroism
• pleochroism

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