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
All those small-hearted, small-minded people, there’s a hell for you.
—
Marlow Stern, Variety, 25 May 2026
All those small-hearted, small-minded people, there's a hell for you.
—Sharareh Drury, Entertainment Weekly, 25 May 2026
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
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
Marlow Stern, Variety, 25 May 2026
All those small-hearted, small-minded people, there's a hell for you.
—Sharareh Drury, Entertainment Weekly, 25 May 2026
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for small-minded
Adjective
-
The narrow win pushed Morocco into first place in Group C, all but securing a spot in the knockout rounds for the 2022 World Cup semifinalists.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
20 June 2026
-
Just outside downtown, this narrow stretch of former warehouses is now lined with markets, mom-and-pop shops and restaurants that spill onto the sidewalks all summer long.—
Gabby Sartori,
USA Today,
19 June 2026
Adjective
-
In the most parochial place that ever was or ever will be, authenticity functions as a means of psychic gatekeeping, and someone who doesn’t speak the lingua Francona isn’t someone who’s worth listening to when the game’s on.—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
12 June 2026
-
Of course, the ever-parochial instincts of Chicago, where neighborhood loyalties rule and aldermen are fiercely protective of their ward domains, means the decision on the location of any future Leo landmark could be contentious.—
Alice Yin,
Chicago Tribune,
29 May 2026
Adjective
-
Some applicants reportedly relied on genealogy websites such as Ancestry or FamilySearch, while others submitted archival records rather than documents issued by provincial vital statistics offices or civil registries, CIC News reported.—
Anthony Thompson,
USA Today,
16 June 2026
-
There’s been something sinister afoot in provincial France in recent years.—
Jessica Kiang,
Variety,
16 June 2026
Adjective
-
After selling baklava at the Stock Show, the Unlus rented their first resraurant space in a small Eighth Avenue food hall.—
Bud Kennedy,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
20 June 2026
-
The Virgo moon asks you to focus on the small tasks.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
20 June 2026
Adjective
-
Conservative pundits and websites have amplified MLB's initial statement and called the league intolerant, bigoted and divisive.—
Armando Salguero OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
16 June 2026
-
The tone of the event, though, felt bigoted.—
Kory Grow,
Rolling Stone,
16 June 2026
Adjective
-
Instead, Defendants appear to be actively undermining the restoration of the Kennedy Center’s name, in a petty act of defiance.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
20 June 2026
-
The two deaths join a long list of other instances of Black Americans dying in interactions with police after accusations of petty criminal offenses.—
TRAVIS LOLLER,
Arkansas Online,
20 June 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
-
Jongno is protectively insular.—
Anton Hur,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 June 2026
-
At times, Season 3 becomes too insular.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
7 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Small-minded.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/small-minded. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
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