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
Red and black symbolism is highly popular among nationalistic Ukrainians and features on the symbols of many Ukrainian military units.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 25 Aug. 2025
This is my kind of patriotism — very different from the unquestioning, nationalistic and sycophantic allegiance demanded by the Don.
—Mike McGrew, Baltimore Sun, 18 Aug. 2025
Second, a unilateral U.S. attack would trigger a nationalistic reaction across Mexico.
—Miami Herald, 13 Aug. 2025
Yet the diaspora tends to be more nationalistic and also holds considerable power through remittances and private sector investment.
—Saleem H. Ali, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2025
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Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 25 Aug. 2025
This is my kind of patriotism — very different from the unquestioning, nationalistic and sycophantic allegiance demanded by the Don.
—Mike McGrew, Baltimore Sun, 18 Aug. 2025
Second, a unilateral U.S. attack would trigger a nationalistic reaction across Mexico.
—Miami Herald, 13 Aug. 2025
Yet the diaspora tends to be more nationalistic and also holds considerable power through remittances and private sector investment.
—Saleem H. Ali, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nationalistic
Cite this Entry
“Nationalistic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nationalistic. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
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