parochialism

noun

pa·​ro·​chi·​al·​ism pə-ˈrō-kē-ə-ˌli-zəm How to pronounce parochialism (audio)
: the quality or state of being parochial
especially : selfish pettiness or narrowness (as of interests, opinions, or views)

Examples of parochialism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web But his critics on the left, many of them of color, have long pointed out these very blind spots in his work—the parochialism of his politics and his reticence where Muslim, and particularly Palestinian, death and suffering were concerned. Parul Sehgal, The New Yorker, 14 Oct. 2024 Europe’s parochialism and military weakness may make the region a poor partner for the United States in global affairs, but the continent itself is no longer a security problem, which is a huge advance on the past. Richard Haass, Foreign Affairs, 20 Oct. 2014 Given the scale of the devastation wrought by the parochialism of union officials like Jordan, the fact that this tactic just isn’t working anymore is cold comfort. The Editors, National Review, 20 Mar. 2024 But pioneering Zionist settlement in Palestine began as a secularist revolution against religious Diaspora parochialism as much as against pogroms. Jordan Castro, Harper's Magazine, 9 Jan. 2024 See all Example Sentences for parochialism 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'parochialism.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1847, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of parochialism was in 1847

Dictionary Entries Near parochialism

Cite this Entry

“Parochialism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/parochialism. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.

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