as in parochial
not broad or open in views or opinions
there are people on both the left and the right who have staked out unyielding sectarian positions in this debate
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in partisan
one who stubbornly or intolerantly adheres to his or her own opinions and prejudices
charged that the work of Congress has been stymied by sectarians who are indifferent to reason and intolerant of compromise
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sectarian
Kevin Sabet, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 May 2025
The Syrian economy is shattered, much of the country lies in ruins, and recent sectarian violence has reignited fears of instability.
—Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 May 2025
Robert Barnes, Anchorage Daily News, 20 June 2019
Lebanon’s unique sectarian make up and place in the region make its politics about local issues like jobs, infrastructure, and garbage collection as well as about regional rivalries and alliances.
—Ben Hubbard, BostonGlobe.com, 7 May 2018
See All Example Sentences for sectarian
Adjective
By subsidizing private faith and sectarian instruction, ECCA would infringe on that foundational civil right for nonreligious and religious Americans alike.
—Kevin Sabet, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 May 2025
The Syrian economy is shattered, much of the country lies in ruins, and recent sectarian violence has reignited fears of instability.
—Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 May 2025
Noun
Quite the contrary, the image of the cross makes the war memorial sectarian.
—Robert Barnes, Anchorage Daily News, 20 June 2019
Lebanon’s unique sectarian make up and place in the region make its politics about local issues like jobs, infrastructure, and garbage collection as well as about regional rivalries and alliances.
—Ben Hubbard, BostonGlobe.com, 7 May 2018
See All Example Sentences for sectarian
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sectarian
Adjective
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Yet somehow, all these factors, seemingly easily translatable across the world’s cuisines, has led to an intensely parochial guide.—
Tulasi Srinivas,
The Conversation,
3 June 2025
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This is a parochial political world, overshadowed by the federal bureaucracy.—
Cuneyt Dil,
Axios,
25 Nov. 2024
Noun
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Only the most punch-drunk partisan would give Republicans as much as a 50-50 chance of succeeding Gavin Newsom.—
Mark Barabak,
Mercury News,
30 Apr. 2025
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Though the central bank’s partisans will claim in breathy tones that the Fed’s thinking and decisions aren’t compromised by the tawdry politics that so many associate with Washington, the reality is quite different.—
John Tamny,
Forbes.com,
21 May 2025
Adjective
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Which party is willing to set aside petty differences and ego, and work in the interests of American prosperity?—
Reed Albergotti,
semafor.com,
6 June 2025
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This Christlike journey of scapegoating and torment ends in comeuppance for the haters and doubters, whose petty provocations tend to evoke a Bond villain in adolescence.—
Joshua Hunt,
Vulture,
5 June 2025
Adjective
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Farmers watered their crops less, and saw smaller harvests as a result.—
Annika Merrilees,
Sacbee.com,
7 June 2025
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Yes, Georgia and Paul split this season as the blowback from the trial — and Paul's support of Proposition 38, disastrous for small businesses — imperiled his mayoral career.—
Randall Colburn,
EW.com,
7 June 2025
Adjective
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Beach replenishment also is planned, but the narrow right-of-way through San Clemente includes no room for a second set of tracks.—
Phil Diehl,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 June 2025
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The Denver Nuggets trailed by 11 with about four minutes left to start the Western Conference semis but stormed back at Paycom Center for a narrow win — the Thunder won that series in seven games.—
Joe Vardon,
New York Times,
6 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sectarian.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sectarian. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.
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