as in ethnic
of, relating to, or reflecting the traits exhibited by a group of people with a common ancestry and culture a tribal solidarity that transcends all other loyalties or bonds

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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 tribal The rock formation is on tribal Inukjuak lands and the local Inuit community has temporarily restricted scientists from taking samples from the site due to damage from previous visits. Adithi Ramakrishnan, Los Angeles Times, 27 June 2025 Within 180 days of submitting the assessment, the secretary must provide a strategic plan to counter the threats, focusing on coordination between federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement to detect, disrupt and prevent the group's operations in the United States. Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 June 2025 The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, or IGRA, plays a key role in tribal gambling issues across the country. Jim Saunders, Sun Sentinel, 23 June 2025 Many tribal nations consider Pahá Sápa (the Black Hills) a sacred place, as well as an ancestral home. Lisa Meyers McClintick, USA Today, 21 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for tribal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tribal
Adjective
  • The Council noted that racial and ethnic differences to the question were small.
    Karlyn Bowman, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025
  • While census participants are asked about their racial and ethnic background, the agency never asks about residency status.
    Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 26 June 2025
Adjective
  • From the ambient rhythm of Poems by my great Grandmother, to textual allusions drawn from Bob Marley’s War—itself a reinterpretation of Haile Selassie’s historic speech against racial injustice—Mutu weaves a multi-sensory tapestry of resistance and remembrance.
    Lee Sharrock, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
  • The racial profiling in the ICE raids has been beyond doubt, striking fear in millions of the brown-skinned and netting some U.S. citizens.
    Thomas Elias, Oc Register, 27 June 2025
Adjective
  • The United Nations broadly defines genocide as seriously harming or killing members of a group with the intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group.
    Kathryn Watson, CBS News, 12 Apr. 2022
  • Pippa Small Getty ImagesJeff Spicer/BFC Meghan's support for ethnical clothing labels naturally extends to her jewelry collection.
    Marina Liao, Marie Claire, 2 Jan. 2019

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Cite this Entry

“Tribal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tribal. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.

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