nativism

[ ney-ti-viz-uhm ]

noun

1. the policy of protecting the interests of native inhabitants against those of immigrants.
2. the policy or practice of preserving or reviving an Indigenous culture.
3. Philosophy. the doctrine that innate ideas exist.
4. innateness hypothesis.

nativism

/ ˈneɪtɪˌvɪzəm /

noun

1. the policy of favouring the natives of a country over the immigrants
2. anthropol the policy of protecting and reaffirming native tribal cultures in reaction to acculturation
3. the doctrine that the mind and its capacities are innately structured and that much knowledge is innate

Derived Forms

• ˈnativist, nounadjective
• ˌnativˈistic, adjective

Other Words From

• na·tiv·ist noun adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of nativism¹

An Americanism dating back to 1835–45; native + -ism

Example Sentences

Isolationism, protectionism, nativism and autocracy have become popular forces that may well undo the pillars on which U.S. leadership and prosperity have rested since 1945.

From Salon

He added that the GOP is running on “nativism and bad behavior” and that Harris’ choice to speak from the Ellipse and focus on Democracy was one that will appeal to center-right voters.

From Salon

The disasters with a second Trump administration will include unleashed nativism and official bigotry.

From Salon

Frankel, who is not sure exactly what Trump meant by his reference to “serial numbers,” shares his broader concerns about the corrupt ex-president’s cruelty, nativism, racism, and violence:

From Salon

In their book Taking America Back for God, Whitehead and Perry argue that Christian Nationalism “gives divine sanction to ethnocentrism and nativism.”

From Salon