NATIVIST Synonyms: 23 Similar and Opposite Words

nativist 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of nativist

as in nativistic

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Dissimilar Words

internationalist

nativist

2 of 2

noun

as in nationalist

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of nativist

Adjective

At large right-wing events, young conservatives have consistently espoused a deeply nativist strain of politics, and expressed their fandom of Fuentes and his politics. — Ali Breland, The Atlantic, 20 Aug. 2026 Not that extricating supply chains from China is sufficient in today’s nativist political climate. — Charlie Campbell, Time, 18 Aug. 2026 The sociologist Brian Donovan, in a book on the subject, describes how the hysteria over white slavery served at once as a progressive campaign against prostitution and as a vindication of nativist fear. — Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026 Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin has taken unfair flak from nativist elements of the MAGA base. — Editorial Board, Washington Post, 4 Aug. 2026 The tension between the need for new workers and resurgent nativist politics will influence who comes, who settles and who is counted among the ancestors of future generations. — Albert Sun, New York Times, 2 July 2026 Driven by the same nativist and xenophobic ideas, the United States adopted the Immigration Acts of 1921 and 1924, which ended mass immigration by introducing national-origin quotas designed to favor Northern and Western Europeans and exclude nonwhite immigrants almost entirely. — M. Gessen, Mercury News, 11 June 2026 Was this restrictive definition not akin to the nativist rhetoric coming from the right? — Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 10 June 2026 Today, not only are these conditions under assault by a kleptocratic, nativist US federal government, but the clock seems also to be running out on their own internal contradictions. — Katy Siegel, Artforum, 2 June 2026

Noun

This undiplomatic tirade went over well in the White House, but marked him as a belligerent nativist abroad and something of an isolationist at home. — Eliot A. Cohen, The Atlantic, 17 Feb. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for nativist

Adjective

The xenophobic portrayal of the area’s indigenous population is a whole other, uncomfortable issue.

— Michael Rechtshaffen, HollywoodReporter, 14 Sep. 2026
Snyder visually embodies noxious, xenophobic attitudes towards the Global South.

— Vikram Murthi, IndieWire, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of xenophobic

Noun

Of course, one point made in the song is that nearly every American has immigrants in the family tree, however much some nationalists may like to imagine a United States that began with certain demographics in place.

— Chris Willman, Variety, 18 Sep. 2026
Scottish nationalists believe support for independence is rising Scotland tried unsuccessfully to break away in 2014, with voters rejecting a referendum 55% to 45%.

— Brian Melley, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of nationalist

Adjective

Dover, about 70 miles (110 kilometers) southeast of London, has been the site of previous anti-immigrant protests focused on migrants who cross the Channel from France in small boats.

— ABC News, ABC News, 5 Sep. 2026
The town has been the site of previous anti-immigrant protests focused on migrants who cross the English Channel from France in small boats.

— Jill Lawless, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of anti-immigrant

Noun

There really are chauvinists out there.

— Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 4 June 2026
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

Definition of chauvinist

Adjective

There, in the forum where the president shares her projects daily with the nation and answers questions from the press, the question arose about whether Intocable would perform at the patriotic festivities in 2025.

— Natalia Cano, Billboard, 16 Sep. 2026
Along with the meal, the event featured a 10-minute evening drone show, with 250 drones displaying patriotic imagery.

— Anne Ewbank, Sacbee.com, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of patriotic

Browse Nearby Words

nativisms

nativist

nativistic

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Style

“Nativist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nativist. Accessed 21 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of nativist

adjective

noun

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