patriotism

noun

pa·​tri·​ot·​ism ˈpā-trē-ə-ˌti-zəm 

chiefly British ˈpa-

: love for or devotion to one's country

Although poles apart ideologically, they are both unashamed of their patriotism.

—Christopher Hemphill

Synonyms of patriotism

• nationalism

Examples of patriotism in a Sentence

You may not agree with him politically, but no one can question his patriotism.

They supported the war with a fierce patriotism.

Recent Examples on the Web

The children grew manic with glee, their lightsabres flailing, their patriotism sublimated into something more primal. — Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026

Beyond that, the line between patriotism and religion blurred. — ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026

Applicants ages 14 to 17 were asked to answer questions about American patriotism in video submissions. — Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 12 Aug. 2026

Republican lawmakers questioned Hartig in particular about exhibitions focused on transgender and feminist American history, while some challenging her patriotism. — Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 3 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1716, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for patriotism

• autism
• fascism
• racism
• sikhism
• sophism
• statism
• sufism
• thomism
• tourism
• tropism
• abolitionism
• aldosteronism

Kids Definition

patriotism

noun

pa·​tri·​ot·​ism ˈpā-trē-ə-ˌtiz-əm 

: love of one's own country