flag-waving

American  

[flag-way-ving] / ˈflægˌweɪ vɪŋ /

noun

1. an ostentatiously emotional display of patriotism or factionalism.

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flag-waving British  

noun

1. informal

   1. an emotional appeal or display intended to arouse patriotic or nationalistic feeling

   2. ( as modifier )

      a flag-waving speech

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Other Word Forms

• flag-waver
  noun

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Etymology

Origin of flag-waving

First recorded in 1890–95

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

flag-waving

The Fourth of July holiday is one of the 12 recognized federal holidays in the U.S., and has become one filled with parades, fireworks, concerts and other American flag-waving events.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 1, 2026

But lose either of those games and the flag-waving will be over real fast.

From Salon ● Jun. 11, 2026

He said he was “particularly impressed” by the flag-waving children, saying, “They were happy, they were beautiful.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 14, 2026

Belarusian state media showed Kim and Lukashenko hugging at a lavish welcome programme on Wednesday involving an artillery salute and goose-stepping soldiers before a large flag-waving crowd at Kim Il Sung Square.

From Barron's ● Mar. 25, 2026

Thousands of flag-waving revelers are lining Germany's streets.

From "The Boy Who Dared" by Susan Campbell Bartoletti

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Related Words

• loyalty
• nationalism

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