as in parochial
not broad or open in views or opinions
an insular community that is not receptive of new ideas, especially from outsiders
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of insular
This was especially so in the cortex, the right subiculum (a part of the hippocampus), the anterior cingulate and insular cortices.
—
New Atlas, 26 June 2025
Give Schmidt better voices — not the same ones, preaching the same, tired, failing stuff, on the same insular loop.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 11 May 2025
His decision not to return to his village and his father signifies freedom from an insular past but also sets him on the path of finding his own identity.
—Richard Newby, HollywoodReporter, 23 June 2025
The locals nearly revolted against the Hollywood film crew who’d invaded the insular island community to shoot the picture.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for insular
New Atlas, 26 June 2025
Give Schmidt better voices — not the same ones, preaching the same, tired, failing stuff, on the same insular loop.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 11 May 2025
His decision not to return to his village and his father signifies freedom from an insular past but also sets him on the path of finding his own identity.
—Richard Newby, HollywoodReporter, 23 June 2025
The locals nearly revolted against the Hollywood film crew who’d invaded the insular island community to shoot the picture.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for insular
Recent Examples of Synonyms for insular
Adjective
-
Brian Colbert ran on a parochial platform focused on garden-variety local issues.—
Mark Z. Barabak,
Los Angeles Times,
5 June 2025
-
In his quest for a definitive biography of Joyce as a cosmopolitan artist, above the parochial fray, Ellmann downplayed Joyce’s interest in politics.—
Eric Bulson,
The Atlantic,
16 June 2025
Adjective
-
This ultra-lightweight chair weighs just 3 pounds and packs into a carrying case the size of a small purse.—
Melanie Fincher,
Southern Living,
12 July 2025
-
In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, black pepper and garlic powder.—
Bethany Thayer,
Freep.com,
12 July 2025
Adjective
-
While Lian was staring in the mirror practicing her hows and lows and preparing for her future, Wenyu was sneaking out of prep class more and more frequently to pull petty pranks with her new boyfriend.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 July 2025
-
Seventy-five years later, some of the Tribune’s criticisms seem petty.—
Ron Grossman,
Chicago Tribune,
25 June 2025
Adjective
-
The 2026 battle for the Senate Republicans currently control the U.S. Senate 53-47, a narrow majority that has nonetheless helped shepherd GOP priorities through Congress along party lines.—
Riley Beggin,
USA Today,
12 July 2025
-
Because the vehicle is so narrow, and because it would be classed as a motorcycle in most markets, Scholten envisions it being used to beat traffic congestion via lane-splitting (traveling between lanes of slow-moving or stopped traffic moving in the same direction).—
Ben Coxworth
July 11,
New Atlas,
11 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Insular.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insular. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share