as in patriots
one who shows excessive favoritism towards his or her country
a staunch nationalist who favored any policy that would give the country more power in the international arena
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Recent Examples of nationalists
The rise of unabashed Christian nationalists is their legacy.
—
Hillary Rodham Clinton, The Atlantic, 29 Jan. 2026
And also to warn about bloodshed if civil war follows regime change, bloodshed between nationalists and those who’ve had enough of being tied to a constantly unstable country.
—Melik Kaylan, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
Right-wing nationalists may well secure power in some big and important European countries, a development driven partly by dismay about mass immigration, and partly by economic stagnation.
—Max Hastings, Twin Cities, 11 Jan. 2026
He’s marked as a dissident for responding with defiance to lesson plans mandated by federal authorities after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine that teach youngsters to become Russian nationalists.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 29 Dec. 2025
Conservatives, libertarians, nationalists and populists are all distinct from each other but are all too often lumped together as one.
—Matt Fleming, Oc Register, 21 Dec. 2025
Finding common ground In the 20th century, Black and white nationalists were able to find common ground on the topic of racial separatism.
—George Michael, The Conversation, 19 Dec. 2025
Christian nationalists believe broadly in the orthodox and theological beliefs of Christianity, Andrew Whitehead, an associate professor of sociology at Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis, previously told USA TODAY.
—N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 16 Dec. 2025
To defeat the threat of a surging left, businessmen and nationalists colluded to countenance domestic culture wars, xenophobic nationalism, the erosion of constitutional norms, and outright violence, ultimately naming Hitler, a vulgar racist, as national executive.
—Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
Hillary Rodham Clinton, The Atlantic, 29 Jan. 2026
And also to warn about bloodshed if civil war follows regime change, bloodshed between nationalists and those who’ve had enough of being tied to a constantly unstable country.
—Melik Kaylan, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
Right-wing nationalists may well secure power in some big and important European countries, a development driven partly by dismay about mass immigration, and partly by economic stagnation.
—Max Hastings, Twin Cities, 11 Jan. 2026
He’s marked as a dissident for responding with defiance to lesson plans mandated by federal authorities after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine that teach youngsters to become Russian nationalists.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 29 Dec. 2025
Conservatives, libertarians, nationalists and populists are all distinct from each other but are all too often lumped together as one.
—Matt Fleming, Oc Register, 21 Dec. 2025
Finding common ground In the 20th century, Black and white nationalists were able to find common ground on the topic of racial separatism.
—George Michael, The Conversation, 19 Dec. 2025
Christian nationalists believe broadly in the orthodox and theological beliefs of Christianity, Andrew Whitehead, an associate professor of sociology at Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis, previously told USA TODAY.
—N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 16 Dec. 2025
To defeat the threat of a surging left, businessmen and nationalists colluded to countenance domestic culture wars, xenophobic nationalism, the erosion of constitutional norms, and outright violence, ultimately naming Hitler, a vulgar racist, as national executive.
—Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nationalists
Noun
-
These immigration and customs enforcement officers are red-blooded American patriots doing a tough job to keep our nation safe.—
Isa Almeida,
Oklahoman,
8 Jan. 2026
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The lunatics who attacked the seat of government to try to change the outcome of a free and fair election are not patriots.—
Bill Goodykoontz,
AZCentral.com,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Sacco knows better than most that political chauvinists of all kinds can point to past moments of injury and humiliation to justify any current cruelty or authoritarian project—an especially powerful appeal when those historical injustices are real.—
Robert Rubsam,
The Atlantic,
18 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Eddie’s Market has its loyalists as well.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
13 Feb. 2026
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Saie loyalists may opt to round out their blush wardrobe with a newer pick from the brand, Saie Supersuede Baked Blush.—
Jenny Berg,
Vogue,
9 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nationalists.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nationalists. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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