INSULAR Synonyms: 60 Similar and Opposite Words

insular

adjective

ˈin(t)-su̇-lər

Definition of insular

as in parochial

not broad or open in views or opinions an insular community that is not receptive of new ideas, especially from outsiders

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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 insular Kauai, a rural island of 70,000 people, is tremendously insular and interconnected. — Guthrie Scrimgeour, Rolling Stone, 2 Aug. 2026 There are parallels to the Epstein saga; tensions between an insular, blue-collar police force and federal agents with elite educations; systemic corruption; office politics. — Judy Berman, Time, 27 July 2026 Cheapening a Storied Brand Furthermore, the Klarna partnership cheapens Apple’s premium brand identity, which was in part achieved by its extremely insular ecosystem. — Bee Wertheimer, PC Magazine, 24 July 2026 The leader of his country’s Socialist Party, Rama came to power in 2013, as Albania was still sloughing off its insular identity. — Isaac Stanley-Becker, The Atlantic, 23 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for insular

Recent Examples of Synonyms for insular

Adjective

Among the bureaucratic, parochial, pastoral and familial spaces his work takes his clients, a reflection on roots, gentrification and the act of remaining emerges.

— Matthew Carey, Deadline, 31 Aug. 2026
In some cases, opposition might amount to parochial not in my backyard — or NIMBY — concerns.

— Stefan Chavez-Norgaard, The Conversation, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of parochial

Adjective

Then handle the smaller responsibilities competing for your attention.

— Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 7 Sep. 2026
Its compact permanent magnet motor enables a smaller pod diameter, reducing hydrodynamic drag while maintaining high propulsion performance.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of small

Adjective

But armed officers dressed in camouflage alongside military vehicles have apparently not acted as enough of a deterrent to petty criminals.

— Antonia Mortensen, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2026
The jury found both Morrow and Stanley guilty of petty misdemeanor charges of obstructing federal property, disrupting government officials’ duties and failing to comply with officials’ orders.

— Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of petty

Adjective

Louisville and Boise State don’t move much after narrow losses to top-10 teams.

— Chris Vannini, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
The extremely short, picometer-scale wavelength of nuclear-decay neutrinos makes the possible collective emission cone extraordinarily narrow.

— Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 6 Sep. 2026