tribal

adjective

trib·al | \ˈtrī-bəl

Definition of tribal

(Entry 1 of 2)

: of, relating to, or characteristic of a tribe tribal customs

tribal

noun

Definition of tribal (Entry 2 of 2)

: a member of an aboriginal people of India —usually used in plural

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

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Synonyms & Antonyms for tribal

Synonyms: Adjective

ethnic, ethnical, racial

Antonyms: Adjective

nonracial

Examples of tribal in a Sentence

Adjective

a tribal solidarity that transcends all other loyalties or bonds

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

The tribal land outside Grand Canyon National Park is best known for its majestic Havasu Falls that appear like oases in the desert. — Amy Lieu, Fox News, "Arizona floods force hundreds of tourists to evacuate, reschedule trip to famous tribal land," 14 July 2018 Families elsewhere in the country have accused the government and influential investors of using pressure to push them off tribal lands or seizing land plots in the name of the state, only to sell them as a privatization scheme. — Taylor Luck, The Christian Science Monitor, "In rural Jordan, pulling power from the wind to make change on the ground," 3 May 2018 Marchers carried signs calling for Sloan's ouster and calling on the bank to cut ties to oil pipeline projects, particularly those that cross tribal lands. — James Rufus Koren, latimes.com, "Wells Fargo shareholders reject calls to oust Sloan and vote to support board at annual meeting," 24 Apr. 2018 Ashlynne’s mother helped get a bill passed to improve the Amber Alert system on tribal lands, and the alerts are named after Ashlynne. — Aaron Gilbreath, Longreads, "Sometimes the Story Finds You: An Interview With Rachel Monroe," 23 Apr. 2018 The tribal lands in southern Mozambique are plagued by war between those who are fighting the Portuguese colonists and those who side with them. — The Economist, "Africa’s past is inspiring some of its most interesting fiction today," 5 Apr. 2018 According to documents obtained this fall by The Post, the corporation president had recently identified two parcels of tribal land totaling 2,604 acres along the refuge's southern boundary on Cold Bay as a possible swap for land within Izembek. — Author: Juliet Eilperin, Anchorage Daily News, "Interior Department strikes deal with Alaska village for road through national wildlife refuge," 6 Jan. 2018 Hardly anyone, Wingo included, believes that Alabama, which allows bingo, bets on horse and dog racing and a few tribal casinos with no table games, will quickly embrace other ways to wager. — Alan Blinder, The Seattle Times, "Alabama’s longtime hostility to gambling shows signs of fading," 10 June 2018 Some 40% of those living in tribal villages are malnourished. — The Economist, "Stone-carving villagers make Indian officials jittery," 7 June 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Some tribals are Hindu and others Christian, but many persist in forms of worship that predate both religions—such as erecting large stones to mark undertakings of great significance. — The Economist, "Stone-carving villagers make Indian officials jittery," 7 June 2018 At tribal, Bradley spoke highly of how great everyone at Naviti has been getting along; that got some eye rolls. — Rasputin Todd, Cincinnati.com, "Who was voted off 'Survivor' this week? (April 4) Did Mason's Angela Perkins advance?," 4 Apr. 2018 At Ghost Island, Kellyn was offered a 50/50 chance at a secret advantage but declined as there was also a 50/50 chance at losing her vote in the next tribal. — Rasputin Todd, Cincinnati.com, "Who was voted off 'Survivor' this week? (April 25) Did Mason's Angela Perkins advance?," 25 Apr. 2018 But tribalism ultimately couldn’t save Pruitt from himself Being openly tribal has served Scott Pruitt well so far in his career, earning him the iron-clad support of industry, the far right, and Donald Trump alike. — David Roberts, Vox, "Tribalism fueled Scott Pruitt’s rise to power — and the scandals that came with it," 5 July 2018 At Ghost Island, Kellyn was offered a 50/50 chance at a secret advantage but declined as there was also a 50/50 chance at losing her vote in the next tribal. — Rasputin Todd, Cincinnati.com, "Who was voted off 'Survivor' this week? (April 25) Did Mason's Angela Perkins advance?," 25 Apr. 2018 At Ghost Island, Kellyn was offered a 50/50 chance at a secret advantage but declined as there was also a 50/50 chance at losing her vote in the next tribal. — Rasputin Todd, Cincinnati.com, "Who was voted off 'Survivor' this week? (April 25) Did Mason's Angela Perkins advance?," 25 Apr. 2018 At Lavita, after a dramatic tribal, Laurel got some back-patting from Domenick and Kellyn for ratting out Dez last week. — Rasputin Todd, Cincinnati.com, "Who was voted off 'Survivor' this week? (May 2) Did Mason's Angela Perkins advance?," 2 May 2018 The episode started with Libby having a pout fest about receiving votes in last week's tribal. — Rasputin Todd, Cincinnati.com, "Who was voted off 'Survivor' this week? (April 18) Did Mason's Angela Perkins advance?," 18 Apr. 2018

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