as in parochial
not broad or open in views or opinions
an insular community that is not receptive of new ideas, especially from outsiders
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Recent Examples of insular
The film’s insular focus on Sonny and Joshua generates an atmosphere of isolation in the paddock, an us-versus-them mentality that every team and driver is out for themselves.
—
Karl Moore, Forbes.com, 3 July 2025
Reductions were also seen in parts of the brainstem; the cerebellum, which is important for motor control and coordination; and other areas like the orbitofrontal and insular regions—both of which are crucial for emotion regulation, decision-making and social behavior.
—Maria Morava, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 June 2025
Harvard is too hubristic, too fat and prosperous, too insular, too aloof, and too dogmatic to admit that it’s erred ...
—Brian T. Allen, National Review, 28 June 2025
The centrist and right-wing intellectuals largely dropped their oppositional politics while the left became insular and weakened.
—Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for insular
Karl Moore, Forbes.com, 3 July 2025
Reductions were also seen in parts of the brainstem; the cerebellum, which is important for motor control and coordination; and other areas like the orbitofrontal and insular regions—both of which are crucial for emotion regulation, decision-making and social behavior.
—Maria Morava, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 June 2025
Harvard is too hubristic, too fat and prosperous, too insular, too aloof, and too dogmatic to admit that it’s erred ...
—Brian T. Allen, National Review, 28 June 2025
The centrist and right-wing intellectuals largely dropped their oppositional politics while the left became insular and weakened.
—Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for insular
Recent Examples of Synonyms for insular
Adjective
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There also appeared to be a number of parochial changes aimed at placating some of the most vocal opponents of the legislation, including several for Alaska, home to Sen. Lisa Murkowski, a Republican who has said the measure would hurt her state.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
29 June 2025
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Brian Colbert ran on a parochial platform focused on garden-variety local issues.—
Mark Z. Barabak,
Los Angeles Times,
5 June 2025
Adjective
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In a small bowl, combine the softened butter and garlic and mix well.—
Robin Miller,
AZCentral.com,
25 July 2025
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Beyond providing an invitation for music-curious Austinites to come explore the clubs, the festival offers a lifeline to musicians and venues during the slow summer season, when small clubs that support emerging artists face some of their greatest challenges.—
Mars Salazar,
Austin American Statesman,
25 July 2025
Adjective
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The Moon is opposite Mercury in your sign, and this can trigger petty squabbles.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
12 July 2025
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We can’t be consumed by our petty differences anymore.—
Rob Day,
Forbes.com,
4 July 2025
Adjective
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But its critics say EA continues to make narrow and curious choices that neglect both systemic issues and the complexly human reasons people give, as a battle for billions rages on.—
Steven Zeitchik,
HollywoodReporter,
24 July 2025
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That choice is one of the starkest demonstrations that the regime’s priority of narrow self-interest over the global good won’t be changing anytime soon.—
Michael Schuman,
The Atlantic,
24 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Insular.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insular. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
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