ENGLISH
REFERENCE

nationalism

n. uncountable
C1 Advanced US //ˈnæʃənəˌɫɪzəm// UK //nˈæʃənəlˌɪzəm// na·tion·al·ism

n. a strong feeling of pride in your country, often with the belief that it is better than all others. It can also mean the desire for a group of people to form their own independent nation.

n. an ideology or sentiment that emphasises loyalty and devotion to a nation, often placing its interests above those of other nations. It frequently encompasses the pursuit of political independence or self-determination for a specific group.


SIMPLE

The politician's speech appealed to a strong sense of nationalism.

CONTEXTUAL

During the nineteenth century, rising nationalism across Europe led many ethnic groups to demand their own independent states.

COMPLEX

While patriotism is generally viewed as a benign affection for one's homeland, nationalism often carries an exclusionary edge, prioritising domestic interests over international cooperation.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Origin

Borrowed from French nationalisme, equivalent to national + -ism.

Usage

Frequently paired with adjectives like 'rising', 'fervent', or 'economic', and often contrasted with 'internationalism' or 'globalism'.

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