flag-waving

noun

flag-wav·​ing ˈflag-ˌwā-viŋ How to pronounce flag-waving (audio)
: excessively passionate appeal to patriotic or partisan sentiment : chauvinism
an article that was nothing more than flag-waving
often used before another noun
flag-waving rhetoric

Examples of flag-waving in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
During pregame warmups David Beckham and the Mas brothers walked toward the end-zone where all the most rabid fans do the flag-waving and drum-beating and raised their hands to applaud the cheering fans. Miami Herald, 5 Apr. 2026 Edgecombe playing in front of a large, flag-waving contingent that traveled over from his native Bahamas for the 76ers’ lone visit of the season. Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 4 Apr. 2026 There was a push to use American dyes and colorants to stave off a deep economic recession—there wasn’t really any other choice—but the cold commercial reality dumped water all over that flag-waving parade. Literary Hub, 2 Apr. 2026 There was a push to use American dyes and colorants to stave off a deep economic recession — there wasn’t really any other choice — but the cold commercial reality dumped water all over that flag-waving parade. Kory Stamper, Big Think, 31 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for flag-waving

Word History

First Known Use

1892, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of flag-waving was in 1892

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Flag-waving.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flag-waving. Accessed 9 Apr. 2026.

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