insular

adjective

in·su·lar | \ ˈin(t)-su̇-lər

, -syu̇-, ˈin-shə-lər\

Definition of insular

1a : of, relating to, or constituting an island

b : dwelling or situated on an island insular residents

2 : characteristic of an isolated people especially : being, having, or reflecting a narrow provincial viewpoint

3 : of or relating to an island of cells or tissue

Other Words from insular Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More about insular

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Other Words from insular

insularism \ ˈin(t)-su̇-lə-ˌri-zəm

, -syu̇- , ˈin-shə-lə- \ noun

insularity \ ˌin(t)-su̇-ˈler-ə-tē

, -ˈla-rə- -syu̇- , ˌin-shə-ˈler-ə- , -ˈla-rə- \ noun

insularly \ ˈin(t)-su̇-lər-lē

, -syu̇- , ˈin-shə- \ adverb

Examples of insular in a Sentence

the insular world of boarding schools an insular community that is not receptive of new ideas, especially from outsiders

Recent Examples on the Web

This is an insular and guarded world, even more so when threatened by outsiders determined to see the worst. — Gentry Estes, The Courier-Journal, "As horses keep dying on the track, the industry is left to answer impossible questions," 13 June 2019 But that attitude creates insular communities and, frankly, boring games. — Julie Muncy, WIRED, "Pathologic 2 and What Games Can Learn From Low-Tech Art," 7 June 2019 The physical evidence and eyewitness testimony against him is incontrovertible, though completely at odds with his reputation as a husband and father who for years has been a pillar of his insular Flint City, Okla., community. — Karin Slaughter, chicagotribune.com, "What Stephen King gets right - and wrong - in 'The Outsider'," 23 May 2018 While the original satirized the treachery of French aristocracy during the Ancien Régime, its ’90s counterpart tackles the insular world of Manhattan’s prep schools and Upper East Side. — Janelle Okwodu, Vogue, "Cruel Intentions Is Still a Teenage Fashion Dream 20 Years On," 22 Mar. 2019 The physical evidence and eyewitness testimony against him are incontrovertible, though completely at odds with his reputation as a husband and father who for years has been a pillar of his insular Flint City, Okla., community. — Karin Slaughter, Philly.com, "Stephen King's 'The Outsider': A thrill ride from an American classic writer," 1 June 2018 But neither Chiuri’s references, nor recent ones to these traveling shows by Jeremy Scott and Vivienne Westwood feel insular. — Laird Borrelli-persson, Vogue, "Fashion Loves a Clown: Here, 24 Big Top Looks That Prove It From Dior Haute Couture to Alexander McQueen," 21 Jan. 2019 In the days since Ford's story came out, the media has turned its attention to Georgetown Prep, and to conversations about the insular nature of elite institutions. — Caroline Hallemann, Town & Country, "Everything We Know About Brett Kavanaugh's High School, Georgetown Prep," 27 Sep. 2018 His departure marked a rare shake-up on Facebook’s insular M-team, whose composition had remained largely unchanged for many years. — Casey Newton, The Verge, "How Facebook’s crisis PR firm triggered a PR crisis," 17 Nov. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'insular.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.