small-minded
adjective
small-mind·ed
ˈsmȯl-ˈmīn-dəd 
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
Synonyms
Examples of small-minded in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
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
Independent thought is terrifying to the small-minded.
—Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 27 Apr. 2023
The villains were not evil but merely small-minded.
—Merve Emre, The New Yorker, 27 Feb. 2023
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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
Independent thought is terrifying to the small-minded.
—Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 27 Apr. 2023
The villains were not evil but merely small-minded.
—Merve Emre, The New Yorker, 27 Feb. 2023
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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
Articles Related to small-minded
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 7 Dec. 2023.
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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
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