nationalistic
adjective
na·tion·al·is·tic
ˌna-sh(ə-)nə-ˈli-stik 
1
: of, favoring, or characterized by nationalism
As increasingly nationalistic, authoritarian regimes in eastern Europe trampled on the rights of all minorities in the economically beleaguered 1930s, the ethnic German communities were easily tempted by National Socialism.—
Christopher R. Browning
Christopher R. BrowningHis thinking also took a peculiarly nationalistic bent, emphasizing that Buddhism had declined in India and China in turn and that Japan was now the central land of the religion.—Edwin O. Reischauer
Edwin O. Reischauer2
: of or relating to a nation
The team split its schedule between the U.S. and Mexico for 17 of the next 18 seasons before cultural and nationalistic differences between players and officials … bubbled to the top.—Kevin Baxter
Kevin BaxterExamples of nationalistic in a Sentence
the political party's nationalistic ideology
a nationalistic display of the country's flag at all civic events
Recent Examples on the Web
While bad blood around the contests - watched by literally hundreds of millions around the world - had often been fuelled by nationalistic fans and warring governments, the players had generally shown sportsmanship and goodwill on the field.
—Tristan Lavalette, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Any form of mediation in India’s relationship with Pakistan is a delicate subject in New Delhi, understood as an assault on the nation’s sovereignty; Trump’s boasts opened Prime Minister Narendra Modi to vociferous criticism and boxed him into a defiant, nationalistic position.
—Vaibhav Vats, The Atlantic, 10 Sep. 2025
The expected leadership bid of the nationalistic Takaichi will also be closely watched by Japan's powerful neighbour China.
—Kaori Kaneko, USA Today, 8 Sep. 2025
Modi is as nationalistic as Xi, and is no doubt irritated at the confidence and pushiness of its great eastern neighbor.
—Kerry Brown, Time, 4 Sep. 2025
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Tristan Lavalette, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Any form of mediation in India’s relationship with Pakistan is a delicate subject in New Delhi, understood as an assault on the nation’s sovereignty; Trump’s boasts opened Prime Minister Narendra Modi to vociferous criticism and boxed him into a defiant, nationalistic position.
—Vaibhav Vats, The Atlantic, 10 Sep. 2025
The expected leadership bid of the nationalistic Takaichi will also be closely watched by Japan's powerful neighbour China.
—Kaori Kaneko, USA Today, 8 Sep. 2025
Modi is as nationalistic as Xi, and is no doubt irritated at the confidence and pushiness of its great eastern neighbor.
—Kerry Brown, Time, 4 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nationalistic
Cite this Entry
“Nationalistic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nationalistic. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
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