nativist

USAGE SUMMARY

The word “nativist” is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe someone who favors the interests of certain established inhabitants of a nation over those of immigrants. For example, “The nativist party in this country strongly opposes any kind of immigration reform.”.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Thinking Conservative sceptics are not adopting the careless nativist nationalism of the ultra Europhobes and Ukip.

The Guardian - Opinion

The result is that libertarian UKIP is likely to end up much like its nativist, authoritarian European cousins.Liberal, my footThis matters because its hot streak will probably continue.

The Economist

Extremism is not a necessary ingredient, at least not much of it: weak institutions, nativist politicians, lazy dependence on a few assets and a persistent refusal to confront reality will do the trick.All through my wild days, my mad existenceAs in any other country, Argentina's story is unique.

The Economist

The result has been a steady decline in the amount of money set aside for road-building and maintenance (as well as for public transport and for the clean-up of leaks from fuel-storage tanks, both of which get small slices of the petrol-tax pie).In this section The nativist millstone Not so easy Just the ten extensions A jury of whose peers?

The Economist

Meanwhile some politicians play to the gallery; in a sop to nativist sentiment, the governments of the states of Hesse and Baden-Württemberg developed "naturalisation tests" with questions on culture and politics.Unsurprisingly, polls show that immigrants do not feel welcome.

The Economist

The nativist wing of the Republican Party opposes Beyond the Border, just as it did an earlier failed attempt to deepen NAFTA, which involves Mexico too.

The Economist

"Pitchfork" Pat Buchanan demonstrated the strength of the nativist streak in the Republican Party back in 1992, when he won 37% of the vote in the New Hampshire primary against "King George Bushh.

The Economist

In Bolton, another city with a large Muslim population, residents of all religions and races have felt a surge of nativist pride in the boxing feats of Amir Khan, a pugilist of Muslim Pakistani origin who loves to wave the British flag even though he has spent a lot of time recently in America.

The Economist

Mr McCain is not one of the main stirrers, but nor has he sought to calm the nativist passions.

The Economist

I think newspapers in grown-up countries around the world would write articles about Britain's withdrawal from a rights charter whose ultimate progenitor was Sir Winston Churchill, and conclude with varying degrees of sadness or glee that Britain was in the grip of a damp, grey, sullenly nativist mood, and seemed determined to become a smaller sort of country.

The Economist

The danger of a Buchanan-style pitchfork rebellion from the party's nativist wing in 2008 grows by the day.Not a wall, but a ladderAnd Buchananism is bad for America, too.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the term "nativist", be specific about the group whose interests are being prioritized and the group being excluded. This adds clarity and avoids generalizations.

Common error

Avoid using "nativist" and "patriotic" interchangeably. While both involve love of country, "nativist" implies a preference for native-born inhabitants and often a rejection of immigrants, whereas patriotism does not necessarily include this exclusionary aspect.

Linguistic Context

The word "nativist" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe ideologies, policies, or individuals characterized by a preference for native-born inhabitants over immigrants. Ludwig examples show its usage in describing "nativist politicians" and "nativist sentiments."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "nativist" functions primarily as an adjective used to describe ideologies, policies, or individuals that favor native-born inhabitants over immigrants. Ludwig AI indicates that its grammatical status is correct. It appears most frequently in News & Media contexts, suggesting a neutral register used for analytical and critical discussions. While related to terms like "xenophobic" and "nationalist", it carries a specific connotation of prioritizing established residents and is often used to critique political and social movements. Remember to avoid using "nativist" and "patriotic" interchangeably, and when using the term, be specific about the groups involved to ensure clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

anti-immigrant

Directly opposes immigration and immigrants, closely related to nativist sentiments.

xenophobic

Focuses on the fear or dislike of foreigners or strangers, rather than favoring native-born inhabitants specifically.

nationalist

Emphasizes national identity and interests, which can overlap with nativism but is broader in scope.

ethnocentric

Believes in the superiority of one's own ethnic group, often leading to nativist attitudes.

protectionist

Focuses on protecting domestic industries and jobs from foreign competition, a common economic aspect of nativism.

isolationist

Advocates for a country's withdrawal from international affairs, often stemming from a belief in national self-sufficiency.

chauvinistic

Implies excessive or prejudiced loyalty to one's own group or nation.

localist

Prioritizes local concerns and interests, which can sometimes align with nativist views.

indigenist

Emphasizes the rights and interests of indigenous populations, a specific form of nativism.

patriotic

Expresses love for one's country but does not necessarily imply hostility towards foreigners, unlike nativism.

FAQs

What does the term "nativist" mean?

The term "nativist" refers to someone who favors the interests of native-born or established inhabitants of a country over those of immigrants.

How can I use "nativist" in a sentence?

You can use "nativist" to describe policies, sentiments, or individuals that prioritize the interests of native-born citizens, for example: "The politician's rhetoric appealed to "anti-immigrant" voters with its "nativist" message."

What's the difference between "nativist" and "nationalist"?

"Nationalist" refers to someone who has great pride in their nation and believes in its importance, while a "nativist" specifically favors the interests of native inhabitants over immigrants. A "nationalist" isn't necessarily a "nativist", but a "nativist" is often a nationalist.

Are there synonyms for "nativist"?

Yes, some synonyms for "nativist" include "xenophobic", "anti-immigrant", and "protectionist", depending on the specific context.