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

His 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

2

: 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

nationalistically

ˌna-sh(ə-)nə-ˈli-sti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Synonyms of nationalistic

• patriotic
• nationalist

Examples 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

Throughout those two years of production, making the film became increasingly risky, as the Russian government cracked down on any heresy against its nationalistic agenda. —Andrew McGowan, Variety, 9 Dec. 2025

That case deeply divided the nation, with nationalistic politicians defending the soldier. —NPR, 28 Nov. 2025

Some of them support the prime minister’s nationalistic agenda, whereas others abhor it. —Aluf Benn, Foreign Affairs, 10 Nov. 2025

The boom comes as the tariff spat with Washington has kicked up nationalistic support in China, and a promise not to back down in its face-off with the US. —Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 3 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1855, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing nationalistic

• hyper-nationalistic

Rhymes for nationalistic

• anachronistic
• animalistic
• antagonistic
• antiphlogistic
• behavioristic
• cannibalistic
• capitalistic
• characteristic
• collectivistic
• deterministic
• ethnolinguistic
• expressionistic