Definition of nationalismnext
1
as in patriotism
excessive favoritism towards one's own country Nazism's almost epic nationalism appealed to downtrodden Germans still suffering the humiliation of being defeated in World War I

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2

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 nationalism The nationalism is real too, but a man flying his country’s flag in a stranger’s city is not retreating into his nation. Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026 The issue, protesters said, is less about nationalism than about protecting an industry that relies on specialized expertise honed over many years. Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 18 June 2026 This world view frequently overlaps with Russian nationalism. Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 18 June 2026 Anti-Japanese sentiment has simmered in the country since that time, gaining traction in recent years as hyper-nationalism has flourished under Xi, especially on China’s tightly regulated internet. Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 17 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for nationalism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nationalism
patriotism
Noun
  • Some say displaying the flag is more about peer pressure than patriotism.
    Kaylah Jackson, NBC news, 29 June 2026
  • For Germans, displays of patriotism are broadly considered gauche, owing to the enduring national guilt from World War II.
    Sara Germano, Sportico.com, 29 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Nationalism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nationalism. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.

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