parochial

adjective

pə-ˈrō-kē-əl How to pronounce parochial (audio)
Definition of parochialnext
as in small
not broad or open in views or opinions the parochial pastimes of the people in that rural farm town

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of parochial Besides, the budget has a little something for every lawmaker, with about 2,000 parochial projects sprinkled across the state, the vast majority sponsored by Republicans. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 28 May 2026 Of course, the ever-parochial instincts of Chicago, where neighborhood loyalties rule and aldermen are fiercely protective of their ward domains, means the decision on the location of any future Leo landmark could be contentious. — Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 29 May 2026 Research shows the disparity between vaccination coverage in private and parochial/religious versus public schools is that private and parochial/religious schools tend to have higher rates of exemptions to vaccinations for moral and religious beliefs. — Kar-Hai Chu, The Conversation, 10 Apr. 2026 The school, a private parochial campus overseen by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Des Moines, had 390 students in kindergarten through eighth grade in 2025, according to its website. — Nick El Hajj, Des Moines Register, 25 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for parochial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for parochial
  1. small
  2. petty
  3. narrow
  4. insular
  5. provincial
  6. sectarian
  7. little
Adjective
  • In contrast, instruments on the FireSat satellites will be able to detect small brush and roadside fires 16 feet across.
    — Eric Niiler, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
  • At the Cannes Film Festival in May, the model Toni Garrn made a striking appearance in a blue-black bustier dress embroidered with small petals.
    — Amy Verner, Vogue, 6 July 2026
Definition of small
Adjective
  • The killing has drawn comparisons to other instances of other Black people who lost their life in cases of accusations of petty criminal offenses, such as the murder of George Floyd.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 1 July 2026
  • Some were petty — like Reese committing a foul against Clark, then jerking her head back, impersonating Clark as a flopper.
    — Candace Buckner, New York Times, 27 June 2026
Definition of petty
Adjective
  • Its designs were suited to its urban New England market — three stories high with a narrow footprint.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
  • Sheer rock walls loom on one side, while the other, which is largely unguarded, plunges to the narrow canyon below.
    — Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 2026
Definition of narrow
Adjective
  • Once, in anthropology class, my professor lectured on an insular island tribe that cackled whenever someone got hurt.
    — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2026
  • Of course, Hollywood is always going to gravitate more toward America’s insular sporting worlds.
    — Jon O'Brien, Vulture, 26 June 2026
Definition of insular
Adjective
  • Hualde says that some Pamplona residents rue his early promotion of the festival due to the ills of overtourism the sleepy provincial city is now experiencing.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 6 July 2026
  • Burgos Famed for its medieval architecture, this provincial capital will be busy for the eclipse, but pay close attention to sight lines.
    — Jamie Carter, Space.com, 5 July 2026
Definition of provincial
Adjective
  • In the months after Assad’s fall in Syria, there were several eruptions of violence between groups loyal and opposed to al-Sharaa that spiraled into sectarian revenge attacks, in which Sunni Islamist fighters affiliated with the new government carried out attacks on Alawite and Druze civilians.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 28 June 2026
  • During the Biden administration, the DSA hemorrhaged members amid sectarian infighting, especially over Palestine.
    — Michelle Goldberg, Mercury News, 27 June 2026
Definition of sectarian
Adjective
  • Selena Gomez took the little black dress to a new level ahead of longtime friend Taylor Swift’s wedding.
    — Jennifer McClellan, USA Today, 4 July 2026
  • That little green or yellow can in the grocery store that boasts pictures of pears, cherries, grapes, and other fruit on the label?
    — Josh Miller, Southern Living, 4 July 2026
Definition of little

Browse Nearby Words

parlous
parochial
parochialism
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Parochial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/parochial. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on parochial

Nglish: Translation of parochial for Spanish Speakers

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