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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Recent Examples of insular
Integrative regions such as the temporal poles and insular cortex allow both positive and negative events to fit together, potentially into a framework that facilitates long-term well-being.
—
Anthony Vaccaro, Scientific American, 29 Oct. 2025
Longtime Mumford & Sons fans know that the group, when operating as a whole, has remained largely insular over the years, rarely venturing outside of their ranks for collaborative efforts under their singular moniker.
—Chris Barilla, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025
Unlike Chakrabarti, Wiener has also been a part of San Francisco’s insular community for decades, and has his own base of support — though he is considered a moderate to Chakrabarti’s progressiveness.
—Anita Chabria, Mercury News, 22 Oct. 2025
Daniels insisted the impact of the shutdown on air traffic controllers was not just insular and would continue to impact the aviation sector and broader American economy.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for insular
Anthony Vaccaro, Scientific American, 29 Oct. 2025
Longtime Mumford & Sons fans know that the group, when operating as a whole, has remained largely insular over the years, rarely venturing outside of their ranks for collaborative efforts under their singular moniker.
—Chris Barilla, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025
Unlike Chakrabarti, Wiener has also been a part of San Francisco’s insular community for decades, and has his own base of support — though he is considered a moderate to Chakrabarti’s progressiveness.
—Anita Chabria, Mercury News, 22 Oct. 2025
Daniels insisted the impact of the shutdown on air traffic controllers was not just insular and would continue to impact the aviation sector and broader American economy.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for insular
Recent Examples of Synonyms for insular
Adjective
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Working-class voters visiting a Reform clubhouse were more likely to find young professionals discussing weighty matters of foreign policy rather than parochial issues like street paving.—
Daniel Wortel-London,
Washington Post,
5 Jan. 2026
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Looming over the desk is a giant cross made of yardsticks, those famous instruments of parochial-school torment, formed into a set of crosshairs.—
Alex Jovanovich,
Artforum,
1 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The founders argue that automation should be accessible to smaller operators, including neighborhood bars and private event spaces.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
7 Jan. 2026
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There can be 30 minutes of small waves before a sneaker wave strikes.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Angel went for a respectful middle-of-the-road jab — complimenting her parenting and resilience, but maligning her for being petty.—
Shamira Ibrahim,
Vulture,
5 Jan. 2026
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Who is not petty or vindictive.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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During this time frame, a narrow, intense lake-effect snow band, only about 10 miles wide, will be capable of thunder, wind gusts near 35 mph and near-zero visibility at its peak.—
Briana Waxman,
CNN Money,
10 Nov. 2025
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The climb is infamous for its heart-pumping switchbacks and vertiginous jaunt along a narrow sliver of crag.—
Stephanie Vermillion,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Insular.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insular. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.
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