nationalism
gb/nˈæʃənəlˌɪzəm/ us/nˈæʃənəlˌɪzəm/
B2
English
~ 7800
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B2
entity
1
strong support for one’s nation
A political idea and feeling that people should be very loyal to their country and work to protect and advance its interests.
Usage pattern:
a rise of nationalism in [place]
Common mistake:
Learners often confuse 'nationalism' with 'patriotism'. 'Patriotism' usually means simple love and pride for one’s country, while 'nationalism' is more political and can include the belief that one’s nation should come first or is better than others. Also, 'nationalism' is usually uncountable, so say 'a rise in nationalism', not 'many nationalisms' in general contexts.
Synonyms
patriotism (Often suggests warm love and pride for one’s country; may sound less political or ideological than nationalism.)
|
national pride (Focuses more on the emotional feeling of pride, not the organized political belief.)
Antonyms
cosmopolitanism (Emphasizes belonging to a global community rather than strong loyalty to a single nation.)
|
internationalism (Stresses cooperation between nations instead of putting one nation’s interests first.)
Collocations
rise of nationalism
|strong nationalism
|grow in nationalism
|fuel nationalism
|spark nationalism
|stir up nationalism
Themes
politics
|society
|ideology
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Economic problems in the country helped fuel a new wave of nationalism.
- The party’s campaign appealed to voters’ nationalism and promised to defend national traditions.
- Some see nationalism as a positive force that unites people, while others fear it can easily turn into hatred of outsiders.
- After the war, nationalism became a powerful influence on the country’s foreign policy.
- Schools were encouraged to promote nationalism through patriotic songs and national holidays.
Learner examples
- There is growing nationalism in many countries today.
- The leader used nationalism to win more votes.
- Some people think nationalism can bring people together.
- Nationalism can make a country feel strong and proud.
- The news talked about the rise of nationalism in the region.
Noun
C1
entity
2
movement for national independence
The political belief that a group, region, or people should have its own government or become an independent country.
Usage pattern:
[group/nationality] nationalism in [place]
Common mistake:
Learners may not realize that 'nationalism' here is often tied to a specific name: 'Scottish nationalism', 'Basque nationalism', etc. It is usually not used with a plural in this sense. Also, they sometimes confuse 'nationalism' with 'nation-state'; 'nationalism' is the belief or movement, not the country itself.
Synonyms
separatism (Focuses specifically on wanting to break away from an existing state; nationalism in this sense may or may not demand full separation.)
|
self-determination (A more formal, legal term for the right of a people to choose their political status; does not always imply strong emotional identity like nationalism.)
Antonyms
unionism (In contexts like the UK or Belgium, describes support for keeping regions together in one state, opposite to nationalist independence movements.)
|
centralism (Supports strong central power over regions, rather than separate or highly autonomous national governments.)
Collocations
ethnic nationalism
|regional nationalism
|Scottish nationalism
|Tamil nationalism
|strong nationalism movement
|rise of nationalist movements
Themes
politics
|history
|society
Examples
- Scottish nationalism has grown stronger in recent years, with more people supporting independence from the United Kingdom.
- The government tried to limit the spread of Kurdish nationalism by banning certain political parties.
- In the nineteenth century, nationalism played a key role in the creation of many new states in Europe.
- Ethnic nationalism in the region has led to repeated demands for greater autonomy.
- Student groups became increasingly active in promoting Catalan nationalism and the right to vote on independence.
Learner examples
- Irish nationalism called for an independent Irish state.
- Some people support regional nationalism because they want more power for local leaders.
- Nationalism in this area started as a peaceful independence movement.
- Ethnic nationalism can create new states but also new conflicts.
- The party grew quickly by promising to support Catalan nationalism.
Noun
C1
entity
3
aggressive, exclusionary nationalism
A strong and sometimes hateful belief that your country is better than other countries and should keep others out or control them.
Usage pattern:
extreme nationalism leads to [negative outcome]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use 'nationalism' here when 'patriotism' would sound more positive. In many contexts, 'nationalism' has a negative tone, especially when combined with words like 'extreme', 'aggressive', or 'xenophobic'. Choose 'patriotism' if you want to sound clearly positive.
Synonyms
chauvinism (Strong, often aggressive belief that one’s group, especially one’s nation, is better than others; can also be used for male superiority over women.)
|
jingoism (Emphasizes aggressive, warlike foreign policy driven by extreme nationalism.)
Antonyms
multiculturalism (Supports different cultures living together and being respected, rather than favoring only the majority nation or group.)
|
tolerance (Willingness to accept and respect people from other nations or backgrounds, which extreme nationalism often rejects.)
Collocations
extreme nationalism
|aggressive nationalism
|militant nationalism
|to stir up nationalism
|xenophobic nationalism
|to oppose nationalism
Themes
politics
|conflict
|ideology
Examples
- Extreme nationalism and fear of outsiders helped far-right parties gain power.
- Historians argue that aggressive nationalism was one of the causes of the war.
- Her speeches were full of nationalism and hatred toward neighboring countries.
- The film explores how nationalism can turn into violence against minorities.
- Many young people reacted against the narrow nationalism of the older generation.
Learner examples
- Extreme nationalism can lead to war.
- Some leaders use nationalism and fear to win elections.
- Aggressive nationalism often creates hate toward other countries.
- Xenophobic nationalism can be very dangerous for minorities.
- The teacher warned them about the risks of strong nationalism.
Grammar
Dictionary form
nationalism
IPA
GB/nˈæʃənəlˌɪzəm/
US/nˈæʃənəlˌɪzəm/
Syllables & stress
na - tion - al - ism (4 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (na)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: nationalism
- Plural: nationalism
Word family
Core family
Related words
nationality
noun A2
nationally
adverb B2
nationalistic
adjective
nationalize
verb C1
nationalization
noun C1
Negative and opposite forms
anti-nationalism
noun
anti-nationalist
adjective
Advanced or less common
internationalism
noun
internationalist
noun
Expressions
aggressive nationalism
1/əɡɹˈɛsɪv nˈæʃənəlˌɪzəm/
fixed phrase
militaristic, confrontational nationalism
Nationalism that pushes a country to act in a hard or warlike way toward other countries.
Examples
- Aggressive nationalism in the early twentieth century contributed to global conflict.
- His speeches were full of aggressive nationalism and threats against neighboring states.
civic nationalism
1/sˈɪvɪk nˈæʃənəlˌɪzəm/
fixed phrase
formal
nationalism based on citizenship
A type of nationalism that says a nation is made by people who share the same laws and political values, not by blood or ethnicity.
Examples
- The country tried to promote civic nationalism that included all citizens, regardless of background.
- Some scholars see civic nationalism as more open and democratic than ethnic nationalism.
economic nationalism
1/ˌɛkənˈɑmɪk nˈæʃənəlˌɪzəm/
fixed phrase
protective, inward-looking economic policy
The idea that a country should protect its own businesses and workers, for example by using tariffs or limits on imports, instead of opening the economy to the world.
Examples
- The government’s turn toward economic nationalism has worried foreign investors.
- Economic nationalism led to higher tariffs on imported goods.
ethnic nationalism
1/ˈɛθnɪk nˈæʃənəlˌɪzəm/
fixed phrase
formal
nationalism based on ethnicity
A type of nationalism that says a nation is made mainly by one ethnic group, with a common culture or blood, not by citizenship.
Examples
- Ethnic nationalism in the region has often caused tension between majority and minority groups.
- The constitution was rewritten to limit the influence of ethnic nationalism in politics.
extreme nationalism
1/ɪkstɹˈim nˈæʃənəlˌɪzəm/
fixed phrase
very strong, hostile nationalism
Nationalism that is so strong it becomes angry, hateful, or dangerous toward other countries or groups.
Examples
- Extreme nationalism in the 1930s helped lead to war.
- The party’s extreme nationalism worries many of its neighbors.
rise of nationalism
1/ɹˈaɪz əv nˈæʃənəlˌɪzəm/
fixed phrase
an increase in nationalism
A situation where nationalism becomes stronger or more common in a country or region.
Examples
- Many analysts worry about the rise of nationalism across Europe.
- The economic crisis contributed to the rise of nationalism in the country.
wave of nationalism
1/wˈeɪv əv nˈæʃənəlˌɪzəm/
fixed phrase
sudden surge of nationalism
A strong and fast spread of nationalism among many people, often in many places.
Examples
- A wave of nationalism swept through the region after the revolution.
- The victory in the tournament sparked a new wave of nationalism among young fans.
white nationalism
1/wˈaɪt nˈæʃənəlˌɪzəm/
fixed phrase
racist, white-supremacist nationalism
A racist political belief that white people should control a country or have their own country and keep other groups out or below them.
Examples
- The government is under pressure to do more to fight white nationalism and related hate groups.
- White nationalism has spread online through social media and extremist forums.