nationalism
3 synonyms and 5 antonyms for nationalism, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — Strong pride in, and loyalty to, one's own nation, often including the belief that it should be independent or put first.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use nationalism
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
rising nationalism
a wave of nationalism
Etymology
Borrowed from French nationalisme, built from "national" plus the suffix "-ism," which turns a concept into a movement or belief system.
Full origin of nationalism →Frequently asked questions
What does “nationalism” mean?
The word “nationalism” means strong pride in, and loyalty to, one's own nation, often including the belief that it should be independent or put first. In plain terms, a strong belief in the importance, unity, or independence of one's own nation.
How do you pronounce “nationalism”?
“Nationalism” is pronounced NA-shuh-nuh-lihzm (/ˈnæʃ(ə)nəˌlɪzəm/ in IPA).
How do you use “nationalism” in a sentence?
Here is “nationalism” used in a sentence: “The rise of nationalism across Europe reshaped politics in the 20th century.”
What is the opposite of “nationalism”?
The opposite of “nationalism” — its antonyms — are internationalism, antinationalism, cosmopolitanism and unionism.
What part of speech is “nationalism”?
“Nationalism” is a noun.
Where does the word “nationalism” come from?
The word “nationalism” comes from French. Borrowed from French nationalisme, built from "national" plus the suffix "-ism," which turns a concept into a movement or belief system.
Is “nationalism” a common word?
“Nationalism” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the difference between nationalism and patriotism?
Nationalism refers to strong pride in and loyalty to one's own nation, often including the belief that it should be independent or put first, sometimes above other nations' interests. Patriotism is generally understood as love of one's country without the added element of prioritizing it over others, though the two terms are often used loosely and can overlap in everyday speech.
Is nationalism always about wanting independence?
Not always, but the belief that a nation should be independent or self-governing is a common feature of nationalism. It can also simply involve putting one's own nation's interests first without necessarily seeking independence.
Is nationalism a positive or negative term?
Nationalism is a neutral descriptive term at its core, referring to strong national pride and loyalty, but it is often used with either positive or critical connotations depending on the political context in which it appears.
