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

There are many ways to think about patriotic duties to our country in the year of our 250th birthday of the United States. —Brandon Busteed, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026

Rousing citizens with patriotic calls to battle is a tried-and-true political strategy, but the hostility generated by this public-health administration may not be sustainable. —Benjamin Mazer, The Atlantic, 23 Jan. 2026

Through arts and commerce, politics and sports, television and fast-food restaurants, no corner of the country was without the red, white and blue, and accompanying patriotic spirit. —Peter Larsen, Oc Register, 21 Jan. 2026

Anheuser Busch InBev’s Budweiser often features stately Clydesdale horses, who often appear in commercials that pluck heartstrings or offer a patriotic tribute. —Brian Steinberg, Variety, 16 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1737, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for patriotic

• abiotic
• aeronautic
• apoptotic
• asymptotic
• cyanotic
• eukaryotic
• idiotic
• meiotic
• prebiotic
• probiotic
• prokaryotic
• semiotic

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