patriotic

adjective

pa·​tri·​ot·​ic ˌpā-trē-ˈä-tik How to pronounce patriotic (audio)
 chiefly British  ˌpa-
1
: inspired by patriotism
stirring patriotic songs
patriotic organizations
patriotic feelings
2
: befitting or characteristic of a patriot
patriotically
ˌpā-trē-ˈä-ti-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce patriotic (audio)
 chiefly British  ˌpa-
adverb

Examples of patriotic in a Sentence

A patriotic fervor swept the country. hanging a flag outside one's home is a patriotic gesture
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
For Mann, the Great War was more than a contest among rival European powers or a patriotic cause. George Packer, The Atlantic, 5 Nov. 2024 On Veterans Day White Castle will also serve its sliders in a patriotic package featuring 50 white stars on a navy-blue background. Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 5 Nov. 2024 Trump's rallies have continued with their showmanship, incorporating patriotic music, dramatic entrances and speeches aimed at reinforcing his anti-establishment message. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024 To dismiss this outright as the director’s version of a patriotic, old-school Rank Organisation war movie, however, is to ignore the far more interesting movie happening right beneath your nose. David Fear, Rolling Stone, 1 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for patriotic 

Word History

First Known Use

1737, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of patriotic was in 1737

Dictionary Entries Near patriotic

Cite this Entry

“Patriotic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/patriotic. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

patriotic

adjective
pa·​tri·​ot·​ic ˌpā-trē-ˈät-ik How to pronounce patriotic (audio)
1
: having or showing patriotism
2
: suitable or proper for a patriot
patriotically adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on patriotic

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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