nationalism
noun
na·tion·al·ism
ˈna-sh(ə-)nə-ˌli-zəm 
plural nationalisms
1
: an ideology that elevates one nation or nationality above all others and that places primary emphasis on promotion of its culture and interests as opposed to those of other nations, nationalities, or supranational groups
At root, nationalism is an ideology of group rights that denigrates individualism in favor of an abstraction called "the nation." Its foundational principle is that government exists primarily to protect the culture and interests of the nation, or its dominant group. This implies that government can use its authority to protect the national culture against potential dangers—including other domestic groups and the potential spread of their cultures. To promote the dominant group, government must have the power to act assertively on its behalf, which necessarily means constraining others.—
Alex Nowrasteh and Ilya Somin
Alex Nowrasteh and Ilya Somin… their popular premier, who has abandoned calls for independence—and instead has embraced a nationalism based on French Québécois identity. "It's a conservative nationalism that recalls the themes of culture, history and memory," said Jacques Beauchemin, a sociologist and a leading intellectual behind this shift. "It's a return to the meaning of identity."—Norimitsu Onishi
see also economic nationalism
Norimitsu Onishi2
: support for and promotion of the political independence or self-determination of a nation or people
Scottish nationalism
3
: a nationalist movement or government
… all nationalisms have their founding fathers, their basic, quasi-religious texts, their rhetoric of belonging, their historical and geographical landmarks, their official enemies and heroes. … In time, successful nationalisms arrogate truth exclusively to themselves and assign falsehood and inferiority to outsiders.—Edward W. Said
Edward W. SaidExamples of nationalism in a Sentence
The war was caused by nationalism and greed.
Nazism's almost epic nationalism appealed to downtrodden Germans still suffering the humiliation of being defeated in World War I.
Recent Examples on the Web
Jennifer Smith Richards reports on why the rise of Christian nationalism in Oklahoma schools models the far-right’s vision for education in America.
—Literary Hub, 1 Nov. 2025
Its popularity comes alongside a rightward shift in Silicon Valley and the White House’s embrace of Christian nationalism.
—Rachyl Jones, semafor.com, 29 Oct. 2025
The Canadian cultural mosaic, in which distinct identities exist parallel to an over-arching nationalism, further offered an alternative to the melting pot model found south of the border.
—Dónal Gill, The Dial, 28 Oct. 2025
Russia is accused of taking thousands of Ukrainian children into Russia during the war, separating them from their families and indoctrinating them with Russian nationalism as part of its effort to erase the sovereignty and national culture of Ukraine.
—Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nationalism
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Literary Hub, 1 Nov. 2025
Its popularity comes alongside a rightward shift in Silicon Valley and the White House’s embrace of Christian nationalism.
—Rachyl Jones, semafor.com, 29 Oct. 2025
The Canadian cultural mosaic, in which distinct identities exist parallel to an over-arching nationalism, further offered an alternative to the melting pot model found south of the border.
—Dónal Gill, The Dial, 28 Oct. 2025
Russia is accused of taking thousands of Ukrainian children into Russia during the war, separating them from their families and indoctrinating them with Russian nationalism as part of its effort to erase the sovereignty and national culture of Ukraine.
—Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nationalism
Cite this Entry
“Nationalism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nationalism. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
nationalism
noun
na·tion·al·ism
ˈnash-nəl-ˌiz-əm
-ən-ᵊl-
: loyalty and devotion to a nation especially as expressed in a glorifying of one nation above all others and a stressing of the promotion of its culture and interests
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