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
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.
Advertisement Advertisement Today, in popular narratives of the civil rights movement, journalists are remembered as heroes who braved the South’s violent parochialism to shine a light on those confronting Jim Crow segregation. Made By History, Time, 4 Apr. 2025 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 Central government has done nothing to pressure the council to abandon its parochialism. Jack Watling, Foreign Affairs, 24 Mar. 2025 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 See All Example Sentences for parochialism

Word History

First Known Use

1847, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of parochialism was in 1847

Cite this Entry

“Parochialism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/parochialism. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on parochialism

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!