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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South suburban committee members, meanwhile, showed parochial loyalty to Kelly.—
Rick Pearson,
Chicago Tribune,
19 July 2025
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In a chamber fraught with parochial interests and personalities in spades, the sprint to finish this by the July 4 holiday is going to be clipped.—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
22 May 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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Without wanting to trivialize egregious breaches of sovereignty like the invasion of Ukraine, most are undeniably petty.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
25 July 2025
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Shameful to once again put the president's petty interests over the needs of Americans.—
Hollie Silverman
Andrew Stanton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 July 2025
Adjective
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Greene’s characterization of a ‘narrow audience’ echoes this.—
Matthew Carey Salyer,
Forbes.com,
24 July 2025
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Mona Jones said that was no cakewalk: The bridge over the Salt River didn't exist in the late 1950s and early 1960s, and State Route 87, the Beeline Highway, was just a narrow two-lane road.—
Debra Utacia Krol,
AZCentral.com,
24 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Insular.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insular. Accessed 4 Aug. 2025.
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