nationalist

nationalist — noun

1. a person who actively supports their nation's right to become a separate, self-g

1.nounB2
Definition

a person who actively supports their nation's right to become a separate, self-governing country, especially when that nation is currently part of a larger state or empire.

Example

Sari joined the protest alongside other nationalists calling for a free state.

calling for + free state (independence collocation)

During the 1960s, nationalist movements across Africa fought for self-rule.

nationalist movements (collective noun in historical context)

Common collocations
  • independence movement
  • free state
  • self-determination
  • colonial rule
  • secession
Synonyms
Antonyms
  • loyalist

    supports the existing political union or government, opposing independence

  • unionist

    specifically supports a political union (e.g. Northern Ireland remaining part of the UK)

Usage Note

Distinguish from sense 2: this sense focuses on the goal of political independence and self-determination, not on belief in national superiority. Subject is typically a person or group acting in a political context.

Common Mistakes

He is a nationalist because he loves his country.
He is a nationalist because he fights for his country's independence.
Sense 1 is about political self-determination, not generic love of country.

2. a person who holds a strong, often unquestioning belief that their own country,

2.nounB2
Definition

a person who holds a strong, often unquestioning belief that their own country, culture, and way of life are superior to all others.

Example

Critics described the politician as a nationalist who looks down on foreign cultures.

looks down on (collocation with dismissive attitude)

Ilan's uncle is an ardent nationalist who believes their cuisine is the finest.

ardent nationalist (strong adjective collocation)

Common collocations
  • pride
  • superiority
  • foreigners
  • culture
  • tradition
  • extreme
  • ardent
Synonyms
  • chauvinist

    stronger and more negative; implies aggressive or hostile superiority

  • jingoist

    even more extreme; suggests aggressive foreign policy and militarism

  • supremacist

    focuses on racial or ethnic superiority rather than national

  • xenophobe

    focuses on fear or hatred of foreigners, not pride in one's own country

Antonyms
  • cosmopolitan

    someone who sees themselves as a citizen of the world, valuing diversity over national pride

  • internationalist

    believes in cooperation between nations rather than national superiority

Usage Note

Often carries a mildly negative or disapproving tone, implying excessive pride or prejudice. Can be modified by adjectives such as 'ardent', 'extreme', or 'proud' to indicate degree. Distinguish from sense 1 by checking whether the context involves independence (sense 1) or superiority (sense 2).

Common Mistakes

She is a nationalist who cheers for her national team.
She is a nationalist who claims her country's athletes are naturally better than others.
Sense 2 implies a belief in superiority, not just ordinary support or loyalty.

nationalist — adjective

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Patriot, separatist, loyalist, and chauvinist all relate to national identity but differ in focus. A patriot loves and supports their country without necessarily wanting political change — they may wave the flag but accept existing borders. A separatist actively seeks to break away from an existing state to form a new one, which is closer to nationalist in the independence sense but narrower, as separatists focus on secession rather than broader cultural or political goals. A loyalist supports the existing political union or government and opposes independence movements, making them the direct opposite of a nationalist in sense 1. A chauvinist, meanwhile, believes their country is superior in an aggressive way, overlapping with noun sense 2 of nationalist but carrying stronger negative connotations of hostility. For example: 'The region's nationalists demand a free state, but loyalists vow to keep the union intact.' 'A patriot salutes the flag; a chauvinist insults anyone else's.'

patriot ↗separatistloyalistchauvinist

Common collocations

Nouns

  • nationalist movement
  • nationalist leader
  • nationalist cause
  • nationalist sentiment
  • nationalist agenda

Adverbs

  • fiercely nationalist
  • strongly nationalist
  • militantly nationalist
  • deeply nationalist

Phrases

  • wave of nationalist sentiment
  • rise of nationalist politics
  • surge in nationalist support

Etymology

FrenchEnglish

The word 'nationalist' comes from 'national' (relating to a nation) plus the suffix '-ist' (a person who holds a particular belief or follows a certain doctrine). It entered English from French 'nationaliste' during the French Revolution era of the late 1700s, when ideas about nations ruling themselves first took modern political form.