nationalistic

adjective

na·​tion·​al·​is·​tic ˌna-sh(ə-)nə-ˈli-stik 

1

: of, favoring, or characterized by nationalism

As increasingly nationalistic, authoritarian regimes in eastern Europe trampled on the rights of all minorities in the economically beleaguered 1930s, the ethnic German communities were easily tempted by National Socialism.

—Christopher R. Browning

His thinking also took a peculiarly nationalistic bent, emphasizing that Buddhism had declined in India and China in turn and that Japan was now the central land of the religion.

—Edwin O. Reischauer

2

: of or relating to a nation

The team split its schedule between the U.S. and Mexico for 17 of the next 18 seasons before cultural and nationalistic differences between players and officials … bubbled to the top.

—Kevin Baxter

nationalistically

ˌna-sh(ə-)nə-ˈli-sti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Synonyms

• nationalist
• patriotic

Examples of nationalistic in a Sentence

the political party's nationalistic ideology

a nationalistic display of the country's flag at all civic events

Recent Examples on the Web

Such claims, often fueled by nationalistic, anti-US sentiment, gained traction on Chinese social media in recent years following the controversy over the health of Ya Ya, a panda formerly at the Memphis Zoo. —Nectar Gan, CNN, 14 Oct. 2024

Employees from their respective institutions have joined the two former directors in criticizing Slovakia’s nationalistic coalition government for stifling institutional independence. —George Nelson, ARTnews.com, 8 Aug. 2024

For the Oscars, China has historically selected films that are able to drum up nationalistic pride, and The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru continues this trend. —Sara Merican, Deadline, 30 Sep. 2024

But to some Shenzhen residents and online commentators, the daylight killing in one of China’s most cosmopolitan cities has prompted urgent reflection on the role of nationalistic propaganda and xenophobia in fueling such attacks. —Cnn Staff, CNN, 25 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1855, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing nationalistic

• hyper-nationalistic