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flag-waver

flag-waver

7.9
A person who shows strong support for their country often in aggressive ways
  • noun
  • /flæɡ ˈweɪvər/
  • Offensive
translation icon : ultranacionalista
  • Many flag-wavers attended the national parade.

Examples

  • Some critics dismissed the film as mere propaganda for flag-wavers.

  • The senator was known as a prominent flag-waver during times of international tension.

  • He accused his opponent of being a flag-waver rather than addressing real issues.

  • The flag-waver shouted slogans at the rally.

  • During the parade, the flag-waver led the crowd in chanting patriotic songs.

  • As a proud veteran, she became a flag-waver, always expressing her love for her country.

  • The politician was often criticized for being a flag-waver, promoting his nationalistic agenda in every speech.

Synonyms

nationalist
vsflag-waver
62 6.1

A person who strongly supports their country and its interests

is more about loud public aggressive support than measured advocacy
chauvinist
vsflag-waver
  • Offensive
11 7.9

A person who strongly believes their country, group or gender is better and is unfair to others

focuses on public patriotic display rather than general prejudice
jingoist
vsflag-waver
1 9.3

A person who strongly supports their country and wants it to attack other countries

focuses on loud public displays of aggressive national support
jingo
vsflag-waver
  • Offensive
1 9.9

A person who strongly supports their country and wants to use force against other countries

tends to be more about public demonstrative aggressive support
ultranationalist
vsflag-waver
  • Literature
1 9.3

A person who is very patriotic and hostile to other countries

is more about visible aggressive cheering than ideological rejection
patrioteer
vsflag-waver
9.9

A person who strongly supports their country and wants war with other countries

is more about public boastful displays of country support
hundred-percenter
vsflag-waver
  • Slang
9.9

A person who strongly supports their country above all others and refuses to work with other countries

often expresses loud public loyalty rather than private policy work

Antonyms

neutralist
  • Formal
1 7.8

A person who wants their country to stay out of other countries' wars

How Patriotic

ultranationalist
  • Literature
1 9.3
jingoist
1 9.3
flag-waver
  • Offensive
7.9
nationalist
62 6.1
patriot
224 3.5

Surface Forms

flag-waver singular
flag-wavers plural

Morphology

flag-waver = flag + waver (semi-transparent) = flag + waver

The components 'flag' and 'waver' are formally clear, but 'waver' is commonly understood as 'hesitate' rather than 'one who waves', so learners may misinterpret the compound.

Etymology

The word flag-waver comes from the simple image of someone waving a flag, a country's 'banner', and waver meaning 'to move something back and forth like a wave'. So a flag-waver is someone who loudly shows strong, often nationalistic support, just like someone waving a flag to get attention.