jingoism
Americannoun
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of jingoism
Explanation
Jingoism is fanatical, over-the-top patriotism. If you refuse to eat, read, wear, or discuss anything that wasn't made in your own country, people might accuse you of jingoism. Jingoism comes from the word jingo, the nickname for a group of British people who always wanted to go to war to prove the superiority of Britain. Now we use jingoism for that kind of aggressive, chauvinistic behavior in any country, or for things intended to stir up war-thirst and blind patriotism. If you see a TV show tries to get viewers to support a military cause without a critical look at whether war is necessary, call it jingoism.
Vocabulary lists containing jingoism
Star-Spangled Vocabulary: Patriotic Words
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Power Suffix: -ism
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Vocabulary from texts about the 1963 March on Washington
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Jingoism reminds them of dictator Francisco Franco, who ruled from 1939 until his death in 1975.
From Washington Post • Dec. 16, 2019
Jingoism was at its peak in the nation that was only appearing in the World Cup for the second time.
From The Guardian • Jun. 24, 2019
Jingoism and patriotic rhetoric earned nothing more from him than a sneer.
From Slate • Feb. 27, 2017
Jingoism is inert, so this big flag sets it aside.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 24, 2015
His vein was that of the heavy, broad bludgeoning sarcasm which tickles a crowd, and his theme was not the wickedness, but the stupidity and futility of all "Jingoism," "spread-eagleism," "tall-talk," and "gold-lace bunkcombe."
From The Message by Brock, H. M. (Henry Matthew)
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
