na·tion·al·ist
ˈna-sh(ə-)nə-list 
plural nationalists
1
: an advocate of or believer in nationalism
2
: a member of a political party or group advocating national independence or strong national government
compare black nationalist, white nationalist
1
: of, relating to, or advocating nationalism
2
: of, relating to, or being a political group advocating or associated with nationalism
Synonyms
Examples of nationalist in a Sentence
Noun
a staunch nationalist who favored any policy that would give the country more power in the international arena
Adjective
The country's Nationalist Party won the election.
most of the articles on the website are nationalist propaganda and not objective by any means
Recent Examples on the Web
Nic Robertson, CNN, 2 Sep. 2024
The float in question was announced several days prior to the parade and depicts a replica of Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir – a Hindu temple built on top of the ruins of a 16th century Babri mosque, which was destroyed by Hindu nationalists in 1992.
—Gloria Pazmino, CNN, 18 Aug. 2024
Ariel Cohen, Forbes, 6 Sep. 2024
After Japanese occupation during the Second World War, nationalist leaders Sukarno and Mohammad Hatta declared Indonesian independence in 1945.
—Kathleen Magramo, CNN, 5 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for nationalist 
Noun
His unprecedented coalition cabinet is bounded by extreme-right nationalists, Security Minister Itmar Ben Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.
—Nic Robertson, CNN, 2 Sep. 2024
The float in question was announced several days prior to the parade and depicts a replica of Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir – a Hindu temple built on top of the ruins of a 16th century Babri mosque, which was destroyed by Hindu nationalists in 1992.
—Gloria Pazmino, CNN, 18 Aug. 2024
Adjective
In Germany, the populist-right Alternative for Germany, known as the AfD, won Thuringia’s state election, marking the first victory of a nationalist party in a German state election since 1945.
—Ariel Cohen, Forbes, 6 Sep. 2024
After Japanese occupation during the Second World War, nationalist leaders Sukarno and Mohammad Hatta declared Indonesian independence in 1945.
—Kathleen Magramo, CNN, 5 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for nationalist
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'nationalist.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near nationalist
Cite this Entry
“Nationalist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nationalist. Accessed 10 Sep. 2024.
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