1
as in narrow
unwilling to grant other people social rights or to accept other viewpoints
a small-minded man only concerned with his own well-being
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in parochial
not broad or open in views or opinions
resented the small-minded people who automatically opposed every new idea
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of small-minded
Stedman offers a heartfelt homage to the virtues of rural community and the natural beauty unique to Western Australia, as well as a critique of the strictures and dangers inherent in small-minded communities.
—
The Know, Denver Post, 26 Apr. 2026
What if both groups ignored the small-minded prison of petty politics?
—Aaron Everitt, STAT, 10 Apr. 2026
In Mohit’s telling, Laxman seems merely grubby and small-minded.
—Literary Hub, 12 Mar. 2026
Any negative pushback in this moment will be interpreted as a small-minded and eminently self-serving response that puts parochial party interests above the interests of the country.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 3 Mar. 2026
These are not small-minded accomplishments.
—Michael Stepner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Feb. 2026
The momentum behind these ventures — the idea, unpalatable to many of us small-minded, provincial types, of taking domestic league matches abroad — remains strong.
—Oliver Kay, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
But small-minded individuals, who happened to be blocking our path at any point in time, my goal was to get around them.
—Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2025
The message Fountain Hills council members sent was petty and small-minded
If it was meant to force the paper to straighten up and fly right, at least in their eyes, the council members failed.
—Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 7 June 2025
The Know, Denver Post, 26 Apr. 2026
What if both groups ignored the small-minded prison of petty politics?
—Aaron Everitt, STAT, 10 Apr. 2026
In Mohit’s telling, Laxman seems merely grubby and small-minded.
—Literary Hub, 12 Mar. 2026
Any negative pushback in this moment will be interpreted as a small-minded and eminently self-serving response that puts parochial party interests above the interests of the country.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 3 Mar. 2026
These are not small-minded accomplishments.
—Michael Stepner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Feb. 2026
The momentum behind these ventures — the idea, unpalatable to many of us small-minded, provincial types, of taking domestic league matches abroad — remains strong.
—Oliver Kay, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
But small-minded individuals, who happened to be blocking our path at any point in time, my goal was to get around them.
—Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2025
The message Fountain Hills council members sent was petty and small-minded
If it was meant to force the paper to straighten up and fly right, at least in their eyes, the council members failed.
—Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 7 June 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for small-minded
Adjective
-
The shoes are held in place by a narrow strap that wrapped the back of the heel, while a slim stiletto and steep pitch kept the profile sharp.—
Karla Rodriguez,
Footwear News,
1 May 2026
-
Instead, opt for small-scale seating with clean, narrow lines.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
1 May 2026
Adjective
-
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
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But quietly, the third-year forward had put himself in position for a more parochial reserve reward, one that caught him unaware.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Mohammadi was moved from prison to intensive care Friday at a hospital in the city of Zanjan, a provincial capital northwest of Tehran.—
Anastasia Tsioulcas,
NPR,
2 May 2026
-
In the meantime, Vancouver’s mayor, along with FIFA and Concacaf officials, have called for the provincial government in Vancouver to step in in order to prevent a move.—
Chris Branch,
New York Times,
1 May 2026
Adjective
-
Its gibbous disk appears small and featureless.—
Joe Rao,
Space.com,
2 May 2026
-
Trump has signed executive orders to reduce housing regulatory burdens and help smaller banks provide mortgages.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
1 May 2026
Adjective
-
Each of them was punched in the face as the attacker yelled out his bigoted remarks, police said.—
Rocco Parascandola,
New York Daily News,
27 Apr. 2026
-
This is a guy who could write these incredibly bigoted figures, and then also write this really searing indictment of American materialism.—
Elisabeth Garber-Paul,
Rolling Stone,
19 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Middle school is, famously, a time of petty cruelty and small-scale social Darwinism.—
Anna Wiener,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
-
Detractors consider this format both mind-numbing and salacious, engineered for immediate gratification and often focused on cast members’ petty personal grievances and rock-bottom moments.—
Daisy Jones,
Vogue,
2 May 2026
Adjective
-
However, curiosity can interrupt that narrow-minded thinking, according to Maya Nehru, MA, LMFT, a psychotherapist offering services in anxiety and trauma in San Diego and Washington.—
Jenna Ryu,
SELF,
25 Mar. 2026
-
This is a valid concern, which is why the solution must be comprehensive, not narrow-minded.—
Jerry Presley,
Denver Post,
18 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The insular culture and unadorned lives of conservative Anabaptist people aren't often associated with music, but Amish sacred music dates back half a millennium.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
1 May 2026
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But two battles on the June ballot in Los Angeles have raised the temperature this campaign season and invited questions about the lengths members of the insular local bench will go to protect their own.—
James Queally,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Small-minded.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/small-minded. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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