nationalism

[ nash-uh-nl-iz-uhm, nash-nuh-liz- ]

/ ˈnæʃ ə nlˌɪz əm, ˈnæʃ nəˌlɪz- /

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See synonyms for nationalism on Thesaurus.com

noun

spirit or aspirations common to the whole of a nation: He describes how the intense and unconquerable nationalism of India’s hundreds of millions contributed to the decline of the British empire.

devotion and loyalty to one's own country; patriotism: The promotion of a healthy nationalism is part of the responsibility of the leaders of a newly independent, diverse nation.

excessive patriotism; chauvinism: This kind of nationalism, intolerance, or imperialism seems to occur even in the best democracies.

the desire for national advancement or political independence: A surge in Quebec nationalism led to the formation of the Parti Québécois, which was committed to a political route to Quebec independence.

the policy or doctrine of asserting the interests of one's own nation viewed as separate from the interests of other nations or of the international community: There’s a struggle between integration and global values on the one hand, and uncompromising nationalism on the other.See also economic nationalism.

an idiom or trait peculiar to a nation.

a movement, as in the arts, based upon the folk idioms, history, aspirations, etc., of a nation.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

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Origin of nationalism

First recorded in 1830–40; national + -ism

OTHER WORDS FROM nationalism

an·ti·na·tion·al·ism, nounnon·na·tion·al·ism, nounpro·na·tion·al·ism, nounsem·i·na·tion·al·ism, noun

Words nearby nationalism

national holiday, national hunt, national income, National Industrial Recovery Act, national insurance, nationalism, nationalist, Nationalist China, nationality, nationalization, nationalize

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use nationalism in a sentence

It was speedy—Israel acted like many other Western countries, in what is known as a trend of vaccination nationalism.
“Everyone is impressed by Israeli vaccination, but I don’t think we’re a success story”|Lindsay Muscato|January 22, 2021|MIT Technology Review
The group’s purpose is to “educate the American people” about issues including “economic nationalism,” “social policy and respect for traditional American values” and “America First foreign policy,” among other issues, according to the filing.
Federal Prosecutors Have Steve Bannon’s Murky Nonprofit in Their Sights|by Yeganeh Torbati|August 24, 2020|ProPublica
In general it is responsible for the spirit of nationalism which so often sets the world aflame.
From the archives: Technology and power|Katie McLean|August 19, 2020|MIT Technology Review
Presently, as many nations experience a resurgence of nationalism and exclusionary policies of walls and borders, the pandemic is a harsh reminder of the lived reality of our transnational interconnectedness.
Science Fiction Explores the Interconnectedness Revealed by the Coronavirus Pandemic|Mayurika Chakravorty|August 9, 2020|Singularity Hub

A lot of the populism, nationalism in Western democracies is very much a result of those refugees flooding into those countries and overpowering the systems in those countries.
Speak Softly and Carry Big Data (Ep. 395)|Stephen J. Dubner|October 31, 2019|Freakonomics
Individual governments took the lead, bankrolling most of the process in the name of competition and nationalism.
Luxembourg and China Team Up on Private Mission to the Moon|Matthew R. Francis|October 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
His policies helped engender the rise of an intolerant and severe nationalism that conflates piety with patriotism.
Why So Many Pakistanis Hate Their Nobel Peace Prize Winner|Chris Allbritton|October 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Btw, I'm not a fan of nationalism but happy Swiss day to you anyway.
Gaza, You're No Good For My Marriage|Josh Robin|August 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
MZ and her siblings were raised nothing, really, except to be skeptical about nationalism and organized religion.
Gaza, You're No Good For My Marriage|Josh Robin|August 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Even in the smallest of Indian locales, the divisions of geography and nationalism are played out on a micro scale.
The Real India Revealed|Rafia Zakaria|August 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Mitchel and the great confessors of Irish nationalism would have laughed it to scorn.
The Evolution of Sinn Fein|Robert Mitchell Henry
Nationalism was taught in schools, emphasized by newspapers, preached and mocked and sung into men.
The Outline of History: Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind|Herbert George Wells
Nationalism more often represents the interests of the few rather than the many.
Fundamental Peace Ideas including The Westphalian Peace Treaty (1648) and The League Of Nations (1919)|Arthur Mac Donald
Nationalism has had a long trial with comparative freedom, and one of its grand finales is the present European war.
Fundamental Peace Ideas including The Westphalian Peace Treaty (1648) and The League Of Nations (1919)|Arthur Mac Donald
As long as such an extreme and pathological form of nationalism exists no permanent peace is probable, if not impossible.
Fundamental Peace Ideas including The Westphalian Peace Treaty (1648) and The League Of Nations (1919)|Arthur Mac Donald

British Dictionary definitions for nationalism

nationalism

/ (ˈnæʃənəˌlɪzəm, ˈnæʃnə-) /

noun

a sentiment based on common cultural characteristics that binds a population and often produces a policy of national independence or separatism

loyalty or devotion to one's country; patriotism

exaggerated, passionate, or fanatical devotion to a national communitySee also chauvinism

Derived forms of nationalism

nationalist, noun, adjectivenationalistic, adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Cultural definitions for nationalism

nationalism

The strong belief that the interests of a particular nation-state are of primary importance. Also, the belief that a people who share a common language, history, and culture should constitute an independent nation, free of foreign domination.

notes for nationalism

Nationalism is opposed to colonialism and imperialism.

nationalism

Origin of nationalism

OTHER WORDS FROM nationalism

Words nearby nationalism

Words related to nationalism

How to use nationalism in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for nationalism

Derived forms of nationalism

Cultural definitions for nationalism

notes for nationalism