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
Since Trump took office in January, Mexico has been seized by a wave of nationalistic zeal.
—Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2025
An authoritarian and nationalistic right-wing system of government and social organization.
—Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025
In the highly nationalistic climate of interwar Poland, the Jews’ traditional survival strategies—avoiding politics, accepting blows without retaliation—have stopped working.
—Adam Kirsch, The New Yorker, 21 Mar. 2025
This direction is far from assured, but neither is a planet-wide retreat into nationalistic trenches.
—Mariana Mazzucato, Foreign Affairs, 25 Feb. 2025
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Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2025
An authoritarian and nationalistic right-wing system of government and social organization.
—Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025
In the highly nationalistic climate of interwar Poland, the Jews’ traditional survival strategies—avoiding politics, accepting blows without retaliation—have stopped working.
—Adam Kirsch, The New Yorker, 21 Mar. 2025
This direction is far from assured, but neither is a planet-wide retreat into nationalistic trenches.
—Mariana Mazzucato, Foreign Affairs, 25 Feb. 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 7 May. 2025.
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