nationalists
|na-tion-al-ist|
/ˈnæʃənəlɪst/
(nationalist)
advocating national interests
Etymology
'nationalist' originates from French, specifically the word 'nationaliste', where 'nation' meant 'nation' and the suffix '-ist' meant 'one who practices or is concerned with'.
'nationalist' changed from French 'nationaliste' into English in the mid-19th century as the modern political concept of 'nationalism' emerged; English adopted the form 'nationalist' to mean an adherent of nationalism.
Initially, it denoted 'an advocate of national self-determination or national interests'; over time, the term also acquired the sense of 'someone with exclusionary or extreme devotion to their nation' in many contexts.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a person who strongly identifies with and supports the interests, culture, or independence of their nation; an advocate of nationalism as a political movement or ideology.
Nationalists campaigned for greater political autonomy during the negotiations.
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Noun 2
a person who holds extreme or exclusionary views favoring their own nation, sometimes showing xenophobia, anti-immigrant sentiment, or hostility toward other groups.
Some nationalists adopted harsh rhetoric against immigrants during the campaign.
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Adjective 1
relating to or promoting the political ideology of nationalism (often used to describe policies, movements, or sentiments that emphasize national interests or identity).
Nationalists pushed for more nationalist economic policies in the party platform.
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Last updated: 2025/11/08 12:55