patriotic

adjective

pa·​tri·​ot·​ic ˌpā-trē-ˈä-tik How to pronounce patriotic (audio)
chiefly British ˌpa-
Synonyms of patrioticnext
1
: inspired by patriotism
stirring patriotic songs
patriotic organizations
patriotic feelings
2
: befitting or characteristic of a patriot
patriotically
ˌpā-trē-ˈä-ti-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce patriotic (audio)
chiefly British ˌpa-
adverb

Synonyms of patriotic

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Examples of patriotic in a Sentence

A patriotic fervor swept the country. hanging a flag outside one's home is a patriotic gesture
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Sellers have cut prices, closed stores, branched into other patriotic merchandise or turned to Trump’s rallies for sales. — Mia Osmonbekov, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026 Onscreen, this ethnic conflict allowed Ken-san and other kimonoed gangsters to be presented as pure, sincere, patriotic heroes fighting for traditional Japanese values against savage aliens as well as local, gun-toting yakuza. — Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026 There’s nothing patriotic about government trying to use its power to silence varied viewpoints. — Scott Maxwell, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Oct. 2026 The word ‘patriotic’ and ‘patriot’ really is offensive to me. — Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 7 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for patriotic

Word History

First Known Use

1737, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of patriotic was in 1737

Rhymes for patriotic

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Browse Nearby Words

patrioteer
patriotic
patriotic cover
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Cite this Entry

“Patriotic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/patriotic. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

patriotic

adjective
pa·​tri·​ot·​ic ˌpā-trē-ˈät-ik How to pronounce patriotic (audio)
1
: having or showing patriotism
2
: suitable or proper for a patriot
patriotically
-i-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce patriotic (audio)
adverb
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