flag-waving: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, journalistic, political commentary; can be used pejoratively.
Quick answer
What does “flag-waving” mean?
The act of expressing strong nationalistic or patriotic feelings in a loud, obvious, and often emotional way.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The act of expressing strong nationalistic or patriotic feelings in a loud, obvious, and often emotional way.
Any conspicuous, enthusiastic, and sometimes aggressive display of support for a country, cause, or group, often seen as superficial, jingoistic, or intended to provoke an emotional response.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both varieties use the term with the same core meaning. American English might more frequently associate it with political campaigns or sporting events. British English may link it more closely with historical or political commentary on nationalism.
Connotations
In both, it is largely pejorative, suggesting empty or aggressive posturing. In American contexts, it might sometimes be used more neutrally in relation to literal flag displays at events.
Frequency
Comparable frequency in political/journalistic discourse in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “flag-waving” in a Sentence
[Subject] engaged in flag-wavingThe speech was pure flag-wavingan act of flag-wavingVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “flag-waving” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The populist leader was accused of flag-waving to distract from the policy failures.
American English
- Some commentators felt the candidate was just flag-waving instead of addressing substantive issues.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in context of national economic policy or marketing campaigns (e.g., 'buy local' campaigns dismissed as commercial flag-waving).
Academic
Used in political science, sociology, and history to critique nationalist rhetoric and symbolic politics.
Everyday
Used to criticize politicians, media, or public events perceived as overly simplistic in their patriotic appeals.
Technical
Not a technical term.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “flag-waving”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “flag-waving”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “flag-waving”
- Using it as a positive term (e.g., 'We need more flag-waving' – this would be highly ironic or misunderstood).
- Confusing it with the literal action of waving a flag in celebration.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Almost always. It implies a display of patriotism that is excessive, simplistic, showy, or manipulative. Using it positively would be highly unusual and likely ironic.
Yes, by extension. It can be used metaphorically for any loud, uncritical, and demonstrative display of loyalty to a cause, team, or organisation (e.g., 'corporate flag-waving'), though the nationalistic sense is primary.
'Patriotism' is a broad, often positive term for love of one's country. 'Flag-waving' is a specific, negative subset of patriotism focused on the loud, performative, and often shallow display of that love.
It functions primarily as a noun (e.g., 'The event was full of flag-waving'). It can also be used verbally ('to flag-wave'), though this is less common.
The act of expressing strong nationalistic or patriotic feelings in a loud, obvious, and often emotional way.
Flag-waving is usually formal, journalistic, political commentary; can be used pejoratively. in register.
Flag-waving: in British English it is pronounced /ˈflæɡ ˌweɪvɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈflæɡ ˌweɪvɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “wave the flag”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a politician literally WAVING a FLAG very aggressively at a rally – it's a showy, simple display of national pride.
Conceptual Metaphor
PATRIOTISM IS A PERFORMANCE / NATIONALISM IS A SPECTACLE.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'flag-waving' MOST likely to be used pejoratively?