1
as in patriotic
having or showing love and support for one's country
a nationalistic display of the country's flag at all civic events
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in nationalist
having or showing excessive favoritism towards one's own country
a nationalistic economic policy that raises up enormous barriers against the importation of goods from other countries
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of nationalistic
After the war, many Iranians hoped things would change and that the government would leverage the nationalistic rally around the flag to introduce a more tenable social contract with the populace.
—
Cnn Staff, CNN Money, 9 Jan. 2026
The AfD’s views on defense spending are deeply rooted in a nationalistic conception of German military power outside of constraining institutions such as the EU and NATO.
—Sudha David-Wilp, Foreign Affairs, 23 Dec. 2025
Throughout those two years of production, making the film became increasingly risky, as the Russian government cracked down on any heresy against its nationalistic agenda.
—Andrew McGowan, Variety, 9 Dec. 2025
That case deeply divided the nation, with nationalistic politicians defending the soldier.
—NPR, 28 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nationalistic
Cnn Staff, CNN Money, 9 Jan. 2026
The AfD’s views on defense spending are deeply rooted in a nationalistic conception of German military power outside of constraining institutions such as the EU and NATO.
—Sudha David-Wilp, Foreign Affairs, 23 Dec. 2025
Throughout those two years of production, making the film became increasingly risky, as the Russian government cracked down on any heresy against its nationalistic agenda.
—Andrew McGowan, Variety, 9 Dec. 2025
That case deeply divided the nation, with nationalistic politicians defending the soldier.
—NPR, 28 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nationalistic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nationalistic
Adjective
-
Biel joked of their patriotic accessories.—
Andrea Wurzburger,
PEOPLE,
31 Jan. 2026
-
The team will also give away three kinds of hats — a waffle beanie, a western snapback and a home-and-away bucket hat — as well as an opening series scarf, a 1998 belt bag, a puffer vest, a patriotic aloha shirt, a poncho and a superhero pocket tee.—
Jeff Sanders,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Gergely Karácsony, who has led Budapest since 2019, had been the subject of a police investigation following the march on June 28 which went ahead despite a ban imposed by Hungary’s right-wing nationalist government.—
Justin Spike,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Jan. 2026
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Rodríguez’s nationalist rhetoric contrasts sharply with her evolving relationship with Washington since taking office.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nationalistic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nationalistic. Accessed 5 Feb. 2026.
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