patriotic

adjective

pa·​tri·​ot·​ic ˌpā-trē-ˈä-tik 

chiefly British ˌpa-

1

: inspired by patriotism

stirring patriotic songs

patriotic organizations

patriotic feelings

2

: befitting or characteristic of a patriot

patriotically

ˌpā-trē-ˈä-ti-k(ə-)lē 

chiefly British ˌpa-

adverb

Synonyms of patriotic

• nationalistic
• nationalist

Examples of patriotic in a Sentence

A patriotic fervor swept the country.

hanging a flag outside one's home is a patriotic gesture

Recent Examples on the Web

China was luring scientists back with patriotic appeals and the promise of transforming the nation’s scientific prospects. — Evan Osnos, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026

Its dismissal today does not erase the abuse of government power in arresting and charging a patriotic American who did nothing wrong. — Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 31 July 2026

The pattern includes patriotic stars and stripes set against a brown background. — Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 31 July 2026

The mine wars were omitted from West Virginia school textbooks, replaced with a patriotic version of the coal industry’s history. — Elijah Tanall, Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1737, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for patriotic

• aprotic
• aquatic
• biotic
• chaotic
• cirrhotic
• demotic
• despotic
• dichotic
• erotic
• euphotic
• exotic
• fibrotic

Kids Definition

patriotic

adjective

pa·​tri·​ot·​ic ˌpā-trē-ˈät-ik 

1

: having or showing patriotism

2

: suitable or proper for a patriot

patriotically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb