nationalist 1 of 2

Definition of nationalistnext
1
as in nationalistic
having or showing excessive favoritism towards one's own country most of the articles on the website are nationalist propaganda and not objective by any means

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2

nationalist

2 of 2

noun

as in patriot
one who shows excessive favoritism towards his or her country a staunch nationalist who favored any policy that would give the country more power in the international arena

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 nationalist
Adjective
Hungary’s nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who was recently defeated in an election, had accused Ukraine of deliberately delaying repairs — an allegation that Zelensky denied. Lorne Cook, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026 But Driskell, the professor, said that the image seemed to offend even many in far-right Christian nationalist groups Trump has always counted on. Miami Herald, 23 Apr. 2026
Noun
The Treaty of Trianon looms large in the imagination of Hungarian nationalists. Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 12 Apr. 2026 Vance has been in Hungary campaigning for Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, a far-right nationalist. Will Clark, NBC news, 8 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for nationalist
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nationalist
Adjective
  • Germany was long seen as hesitant to appear overly militaristic or nationalistic, but the Ukraine war — and now the Iran conflict — has pushed Berlin to increase defense spending and crystallize its own national interests.
    Semafor Events, semafor.com, 24 Apr. 2026
  • Regardless of how nationalistic Jews felt as Hungarians, anti-semitism was on the rise in Hungary throughout the 1930s.
    Marcy Thompson, Scientific American, 16 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • The victory also prompted Mexican Americans throughout the state to form patriotic assemblies to support and raise funds for Mexico’s efforts.
    Jay R. Brooks, Mercury News, 30 Apr. 2026
  • Yet, as throngs of people strolled the three-block downtown on a recent April weekend, past American flag streamers, patriotic bunting and red brick colonial buildings, there was scant visible evidence of that polarization.
    Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • As a country born of genocide and built by slavery, the true patriots among us know that our greatest strength and salvation lie in our diversity.
    Melody Moezzi, Mercury News, 23 Apr. 2026
  • Stan never held a position in government but is no less a patriot.
    Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 21 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Sacco knows better than most that political chauvinists of all kinds can point to past moments of injury and humiliation to justify any current cruelty or authoritarian project—an especially powerful appeal when those historical injustices are real.
    Robert Rubsam, The Atlantic, 18 Dec. 2025
  • King’s straight-sets triumph over the braggadocious chauvinist wasn’t much in doubt once the players were on the court, though there was plenty of speculation leading up to the match.
    Joe Reid, Vulture, 29 Aug. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Nationalist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nationalist. Accessed 4 May. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on nationalist

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster