Nationalistic: meaning, definitions and examples

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nationalistic

[ˌnæʃəˈnælɪstɪk ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

politics

Relating to or characteristic of nationalism.

Synonyms

chauvinistic, jingoistic, patriotic.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
nationalistic	Used to describe a strong sense of loyalty and devotion to one's nation, often to the point of putting national interests above others. This can have negative overtones if it implies an exclusionary or aggressive attitude. His nationalistic rhetoric worried the neighboring countries. The party's policies were heavily nationalistic, focusing on protecting domestic industries.
patriotic	Describes love and devotion to one's country without the aggressive or exclusionary implications. Generally viewed positively, this term suggests a healthy pride and commitment to national values. The patriotic spirit of the volunteers was evident during the national holiday celebrations. Displaying the flag outside his house was one of the ways he showed his patriotic pride.
jingoistic	Refers to extreme patriotism, especially in the form of aggressive or warlike foreign policy. This term is usually negative and implies a belligerent attitude towards other countries. The jingoistic tone of his speech aroused fears of an impending conflict. Jingoistic propaganda was used to rally the populace for the military campaign.
chauvinistic	Often used to describe excessive and aggressive patriotism combined with a belief in national superiority. This term generally has a negative connotation, suggesting narrow-mindedness and prejudice. Her chauvinistic views made it difficult for her to work in a diverse team. The leader's chauvinistic speech alienated many foreign delegates.

Examples of usage

The candidate's nationalistic rhetoric appealed to patriotic voters.
His nationalistic policies prioritize the interests of his own country.
The nationalistic movement gained momentum after the war.

^{Context #2 | Adjective}

attitude

Showing excessive patriotism or loyalty to one's own nation, often to the detriment of other nations.

Synonyms

chauvinistic, jingoistic, ultranationalistic.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
nationalistic	Use this word to describe a person or action that strongly supports one's own nation, often putting it above others, but not necessarily in an aggressive way. 1 She adopted a nationalistic approach to politics, always promoting local businesses and culture 2 The nationalistic sentiment grew as the country celebrated its independence day
ultranationalistic	Use this word to describe an extreme form of nationalism that is intensely devoted to one's nation to the exclusion or detriment of international cooperation, often associated with radical and extremist views. 1 The ultranationalistic party gained influence by promoting isolationist and anti-immigration policies 2 Their ultranationalistic ideologies led them to reject any cultural integration
chauvinistic	Use this word when describing a person or action displaying exaggerated or aggressive patriotism, often implying a belief in the superiority of one's own nation over others, frequently used in a negative context. 1 His chauvinistic remarks about other countries alienated many of his colleagues 2 The article was criticized for its chauvinistic tone, dismissing the achievements of other nations
jingoistic	This word is appropriate when describing extremely aggressive or warlike patriotism, often advocating for intimidating other countries, commonly used in a disapproving manner. 1 The leader's jingoistic rhetoric heightened tensions with neighboring nations 2 The protestors denounced the government's jingoistic foreign policies

Examples of usage

Her nationalistic views often clash with the concept of global cooperation.
The nationalistic fervor led to tensions with neighboring countries.
Some people view his nationalistic behavior as xenophobic.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word 'nationalistic' comes from 'nation,' meaning a group of people with common culture and history, combined with the suffix '-istic,' which implies a characteristic.
It started to be widely used in the 19th century as countries began to define their identities more clearly.
Many languages have similar roots for their words related to nation, indicating a universal concept of belonging.

Historical Context

Nationalistic sentiments played pivotal roles in major historical events, such as the French Revolution, which was driven by a desire for national identity.
In the 20th century, rising nationalism led to the formation of new nations from colonial rule, often accompanied by struggles for independence.
The two World Wars were heavily influenced by nationalism, with countries rallying support through patriotic fervor.

Psychology

Research shows that strong nationalistic feelings can correlate with group identity and belonging, impacting social behavior and decision-making.
Nationalism can influence an individual's self-esteem, as people often derive pride from their country's achievements.
In times of crisis, heightened nationalistic feelings can lead to social cohesion, but they may also incite intolerance toward outsiders.

Pop Culture

Nationalistic themes appear in various songs and movies, often celebrating a sense of unity and pride, sometimes linking these emotions to sports events.
Throughout history, many popular figures have harnessed nationalistic rhetoric to inspire movements, such as Martin Luther King Jr. in the Civil Rights Movement.
Nationalistic imagery can be seen during holidays like Independence Day, where flags and parades symbolize national pride.

Sociology

Nationalism can contribute to the formation of strong communities, as people who share similar national beliefs often band together.
It can also lead to conflict when differing nationalist sentiments clash between groups or nations.
The study of nationalism helps sociologists understand how collective identities form and how they can unite or divide communities.

Translations

Translations of the word "nationalistic" in other languages:

🇵🇹 nacionalista

🇮🇳 राष्ट्रवादी

🇩🇪 nationalistisch

🇮🇩 nasionalistik

🇺🇦 націоналістичний

🇵🇱 nacjonalistyczny

🇯🇵 ナショナリスティック

🇫🇷 nationaliste

🇪🇸 nacionalista

🇹🇷 milliyetçi

🇰🇷 국수주의적인

🇸🇦 قومي

🇨🇿 nacionalistický

🇸🇰 nacionalistický

🇨🇳 民族主义的

🇸🇮 nacionalističen

🇮🇸 þjóðernissinnaður

🇰🇿 ұлтшылдық

🇬🇪 ნაციონალისტური

🇦🇿 millətçi

🇲🇽 nacionalista

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #17,137, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.

...
17134 brackish
17135 burrow
17136 innocently
17137 nationalistic
17138 burgeoning
17139 dogmas
17140 grapple
...