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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of insular
The job of marketing Chicago as a national tech player and serving as a fulcrum for what can be an insular world is critical and isn’t a luxury the city can afford to do without.
—
The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 2 Mar. 2025
The other was Dave Yuasa, a bit of a legend within the insular world of divers thanks to his laser-like focus, his no-nonsense attitude and an intensity that could be down right frightening.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 28 Feb. 2025
Since the Globes entered crisis mode in 2021, amid severe criticism of the lack of diversity among its insular membership, the organization has undergone an overhaul.
—J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 28 Feb. 2025
Durham skillfully builds the insular world of a top Russian ballet school, and the atmosphere bristles with competition, flirtation, and intrigue.
—April Austin, The Christian Science Monitor, 27 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for insular
The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 2 Mar. 2025
The other was Dave Yuasa, a bit of a legend within the insular world of divers thanks to his laser-like focus, his no-nonsense attitude and an intensity that could be down right frightening.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 28 Feb. 2025
Since the Globes entered crisis mode in 2021, amid severe criticism of the lack of diversity among its insular membership, the organization has undergone an overhaul.
—J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 28 Feb. 2025
Durham skillfully builds the insular world of a top Russian ballet school, and the atmosphere bristles with competition, flirtation, and intrigue.
—April Austin, The Christian Science Monitor, 27 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for insular
Recent Examples of Synonyms for insular
Adjective
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Currently the parochial vicar at St. Lucy Parish in Campbell, Rev. Pedigo formerly served as pastor at St. Julie Billiart and Our Lady of Guadalupe in San Jose.—
Sal Pizarro,
The Mercury News,
8 Mar. 2025
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At this point, any family that wants their child to attend a private school is now able to get more than $8,000 per year to pay private or parochial tuition.—
Letters to the Editor,
Orlando Sentinel,
25 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The Liberals' smallest lead was in a poll conducted by Innovative Research among 1,548 Canadian citizens, which showed the party with a lead of just 2 points, on 36 percent to the Conservatives' 34 percent—a lead within the poll's 3 percent margin of error.—
Paul Du Quenoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Mar. 2025
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Retail trade, which includes small and large clothing stores, lost 6,700 jobs, around 5,500 of which were not in department stores.—
Rob Nikolewski,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Mixed in with small pleasures and petty disputes with her older sister are true feats of survival and bravery.—
Lynette Rice,
Deadline,
22 Mar. 2025
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Gangs stop petty thievery in their own neighborhoods.—
Walter E Block,
Orange County Register,
22 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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When this happens in the solar system, giving Earth the narrowest glimpse of the rings, it’s known as a ring plane crossing.—
Sara Hashemi,
Smithsonian Magazine,
26 Mar. 2025
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With this victory, Democrats maintain a narrow majority of 102-101 in the state House.—
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Insular.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insular. Accessed 3 Apr. 2025.
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