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

Johnson took the job partly out of patriotism; he was bothered that so few people knew the smartphone was a Canadian invention. — Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 29 July 2026

The stories also instill them with a new sense of patriotism shaped by the experience of defending their country from Russia. — Constant Méheut, New York Times, 27 July 2026

There is a case to the right of the entrance that explores American life through patriotism and the 4th of July. — Kaitlyn Harvey, AJC.com, 23 July 2026

But lest anyone consider this bringing political commentary into music, Cain preemptively insisted that, in boosting his brand of patriotism, this didn’t count. — Chris Willman, Variety, 20 July 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