patriotic

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "patriotic" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe feelings, actions, or sentiments that express love for one's country or support for its interests. Example: "The citizens displayed their patriotic spirit during the national holiday celebrations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Film

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

His patriotic fervour only extends to the fortunes of the Republic of Ireland football team.

The Guardian

The trolls have to post the photographs together with information they can pull from a website marketed as a "patriotic Russian Wikipedia", featuring ideologically acceptable versions of world events.

The Guardian

The Brits will baulk at giving this one, too, to Linklater – though it's unlikely they'll come over patriotic enough to hand it to Nightcrawler's Dan Gilroy, admirable as such a move might be.

The Guardian - Film

Wallis starred Scott in her first film, You Came Along (1945), as a treasury department employee charged with looking after three pilots on a patriotic bond-selling tour.

The Guardian - Film

That the suggestion came from the man himself – on the back of his overtaking Sir Donald Bradman as Australia's greatest compiler of first-class runs with his second century of the summer – confirms Langer's reputation as the most patriotic Australian since Chips Rafferty.

The Guardian - Sport

He is due to launch a six-day, 30-destination tour of Scotland's heartlands aimed at convincing undecided voters of the case for a patriotic no vote.

The Guardian

On Australia Day the flag is as much a potent symbol of ugly You Flew Here We Grew Here nationalism and territorial exclusion as generous patriotic pride.

The Guardian

Facts and figures do not make a war and neither do fat Field Marshals with medals for their patriotic services (which include moving pins around on a map all day and launching the odd suicide mission).

The Guardian

Fianna Fail will try to paint itself in opposition as non-partisan, patriotic and operating in the national interest.

The Guardian

Though Eastwood's politics have been hard to pin down – in 2012 he gave a bizarre address to an empty chair intended to represent Obama at the Republican National convention – American Sniper is a much more avowedly patriotic, even bellicose, film than his previous Oscars-winners, Unforgiven and Million Dollar Baby; a more reassuring watch in an America spooked by Isis.

The Guardian - Film

Acquiescing to any deal involving restrictions on the rights of the roughly 800,000 Poles currently living in the UK would be considered tantamount to treason by Duda's nationalist base, seriously harming his and his party's patriotic credentials.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "patriotic" to describe actions, sentiments, or symbols that express love and dedication to one's country, ensuring the context aligns with genuine national pride rather than aggressive nationalism.

Common error

Avoid using "patriotic" when the context veers into aggressive nationalism or xenophobia. Patriotism emphasizes love for one's country, while nationalism can involve hostility towards other nations. Ensure your usage reflects inclusivity rather than exclusion.

Linguistic Context

The word "patriotic" primarily functions as an adjective. It is used to describe something or someone that expresses or demonstrates love for their country. Ludwig examples show it modifying nouns like "fervor", "services", and "pride". Ludwig AI confirms that "patriotic" is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Film

8%

Sport

3%

Less common in

Opinion

3%

Music

1%

Tech

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "patriotic" is an adjective used to describe feelings, actions, or objects that express love, loyalty, and dedication to one's country. Ludwig's analysis confirms that the word is grammatically correct and frequently used, particularly in News & Media. While generally neutral, context is crucial to avoid confusion with aggressive nationalism. Ludwig's examples highlight its widespread use in describing diverse subjects, from political rhetoric to cultural expressions, underscoring its significance in contemporary discourse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

filled with patriotism

Emphasizes the emotional aspect of love for one's country.

loyal to one's country

Focuses on allegiance and faithfulness to the nation.

devoted to one's country

Highlights dedication and commitment to the nation's well-being.

nationalistic

Emphasizes a stronger sense of national identity and sometimes exclusion of others.

zealous for the homeland

Highlights fervent passion and dedication to the country.

exhibiting patriotism

Focuses on the outward display of patriotic feelings.

nation-first

Emphasizes prioritizing the interests of one's own nation above others.

national-minded

Indicates a focus on national interests and perspectives.

country-loving

A more informal and affectionate way to describe love for one's country.

flag-waving

Often implies a more overt and sometimes superficial display of patriotism.

FAQs

How can I use "patriotic" in a sentence?

You can use "patriotic" to describe someone who loves their country, as in "He was a "patriotic" citizen who always voted" or to describe something that shows love for a country, as in "The "patriotic" song made everyone feel proud".

What words are similar to "patriotic"?

Similar words include "nationalistic", "loyal to one's country", and "devoted to one's country". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "patriotic" or "nationalistic"?

"Patriotic" and "nationalistic" both relate to love for one's country, but "patriotic" generally has a positive connotation of love and pride, while "nationalistic" can imply a more aggressive or exclusionary form of national pride. Choose "patriotic" for general love of country and reserve "nationalistic" for situations where a strong sense of national identity is emphasized, possibly to the exclusion of others.

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

"Patriotic" is an adjective describing someone who loves their country. "Nationalist" can be a noun describing someone who strongly advocates for their nation, often with a focus on national identity and interests, sometimes to the exclusion of others. The term "nationalist" can sometimes carry a more negative connotation than "patriotic", depending on the context.