small-minded

adjective

small-mind·​ed ˈsmȯl-ˈmīn-dəd How to pronounce small-minded (audio)
1
: having narrow interests, sympathies, or outlook
2
: typical of a small-minded person : marked by pettiness, narrowness, or meanness
small-minded conduct
small-mindedly adverb
small-mindedness noun

Examples of small-minded in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Trump represents a slice of the American psyche — that racist, small-minded, xenophobic mentality. Garret K. Woodward, SPIN, 3 Feb. 2024 As in some of his memorable film roles, De Niro confused small-minded egotism with principle. Armond White, National Review, 6 Dec. 2023 Pence called that small-minded, saying the United States can do both. Todd J. Gillman, Dallas News, 24 Aug. 2023 There’s also been some racist messaging, casual misogyny, and, most recently, a song and music video that are, at best, small-minded and, at worst, racist. Meagan Jordan, Rolling Stone, 19 July 2023 That makes the film a droll, distancing experience that can come off as faintly condescending in its view of the religious impulse as inherently petty and hypocritical, the last refuge of small-minded folk who cleave to the symbols and rituals of faith but reject their actual meaning. Jessica Kiang, Variety, 8 July 2023 The narrative unfolds communally around a table, with plenty of backtracking, retconning, and joking—and avoiding the small-minded hobgoblins of consistency and rules-lawyering. Ethan Gilsdorf, WIRED, 27 June 2023 These small-minded individuals have made an example of Target, and Target buckled their knees. Elvia Limón, Los Angeles Times, 16 June 2023 An obvious, small-minded way to grab attention in the press. Concita De Gregorio, The Hollywood Reporter, 2 June 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'small-minded.' 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

1811, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of small-minded was in 1811

Dictionary Entries Near small-minded

Cite this Entry

“Small-minded.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/small-minded. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

small-minded

adjective
small-mind·​ed
ˈsmȯl-ˈmīn-dəd
1
: having narrow interests, sympathies, or outlook
2
: typical of a small-minded person : petty
small-mindedness noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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