ultranationalism
C2Formal, academic, political
Definition
Meaning
An extreme form of nationalism that advocates aggressive and expansionist policies, often with a sense of superiority over other nations.
Implies xenophobia, militarism, and the suppression of internal dissent in the name of national unity, historically associated with ideologies like fascism.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Typically carries negative connotations and is used critically in discourse about politics and history.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage between British and American English.
Connotations
Equally negative in both variants, associated with extremism and conflict.
Frequency
Rare in everyday speech; more common in political, historical, or academic contexts in both regions.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
ultranationalism in [country]the ultranationalism of [political group]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rarely used; may appear in analyses of political risk affecting international markets.
Academic
Common in political science, history, and sociology for discussing ideological extremes.
Everyday
Seldom used in casual conversation; reserved for formal discussions about politics.
Technical
Employed in political theory and ideological studies to describe aggressive nationalistic movements.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adverb
British English
- They argued ultranationally for economic protectionism.
American English
- The policy was implemented ultranationally, ignoring international agreements.
adjective
British English
- The ultranationalist party advocated for stricter immigration controls.
American English
- Ultranationalist sentiments fueled the protest movements.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Ultranationalism means loving your country too much.
- Some leaders use ultranationalism to gain support from the people.
- The spread of ultranationalism in the region has increased diplomatic tensions.
- Scholars argue that ultranationalism often correlates with authoritarian regimes and human rights abuses.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Combine 'ultra' (meaning extreme) with 'nationalism'—think of it as nationalism taken to an extreme level.
Conceptual Metaphor
Nationalism as a controlled fire; ultranationalism as a destructive wildfire.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- May be confused with 'национализм', which can have broader or neutral connotations; 'ультранационализм' is a direct translation but less commonly used in Russian.
Common Mistakes
- Using it interchangeably with 'nationalism' without acknowledging its extreme nature.
- Misspelling as 'ultra-nationalism' with a hyphen, though both forms are occasionally accepted.
Practice
Quiz
What best describes ultranationalism?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, patriotism is generally a positive love for one's country, while ultranationalism is an extreme form that often involves hostility towards other nations.
It is almost universally viewed negatively due to its association with conflict, intolerance, and historical atrocities.
Nationalism can range from moderate to strong, but ultranationalism specifically denotes an extreme, aggressive, and often expansionist version.
Primarily in political science, history, and sociology, where it is analyzed in contexts of ideology, conflict, and state behavior.