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
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Recent Examples of insular
The scope of the devastation brought attention to the rural and rustic regions of Appalachia, but also brought into focus longstanding preconceptions about the area’s poverty and insular culture.
—
Rob Salkowitz, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025
The museum was more insular; shows hardly nodded to the world outside its walls — even to debates in contemporary art.
—Rachel Corbett, Vulture, 10 Apr. 2025
Another challenge is creative stagnation, as in-house teams may become too insular without external influences.
—Maria Alonso, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
In this insular neighborhood, there was suddenly a risk of land passing to outside parties.
—Robert Petkoff Krish Seenivasan Quinton Kamara, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for insular
Rob Salkowitz, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025
The museum was more insular; shows hardly nodded to the world outside its walls — even to debates in contemporary art.
—Rachel Corbett, Vulture, 10 Apr. 2025
Another challenge is creative stagnation, as in-house teams may become too insular without external influences.
—Maria Alonso, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
In this insular neighborhood, there was suddenly a risk of land passing to outside parties.
—Robert Petkoff Krish Seenivasan Quinton Kamara, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for insular
Recent Examples of Synonyms for insular
Adjective
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It could not be fenced off and become a parochial one now.—
Adam Gopnik,
New Yorker,
21 Apr. 2025
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Investors might want to be less parochial just as political policy becomes increasingly so.—
Ron Insana,
CNBC,
7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Instead, Atkinson took up golf for the first time and renewed his connection to scientific research, not the least of which was how a small white ball repeatedly avoids a hole in the ground.—
Barbara Bry,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 May 2025
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The Court of International Trade previously rejected the small businesses' request to temporarily pause the tariffs while their lawsuit went forward, but then quickly scheduled Tuesday’s court hearing to decide whether to rule against the tariffs or impose a longer-term pause.—
Dietrich Knauth,
USA Today,
14 May 2025
Adjective
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Each encounter brings four options for how to beat that opponent, a prime opportunity to make petty jokes.—
Jayna Bardahl,
New York Times,
16 May 2025
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As a result, defendants in Colorado’s municipal courts can face much longer sentences than those in state court for the same petty offenses, The Denver Post previously found.—
Sam Tabachnik,
Denver Post,
16 May 2025
Adjective
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This was a narrow approach, aimed at providing vouchers for students in districts that were in receivership (a sort of financial takeover primarily for financial issues).—
Peter Greene,
Forbes.com,
13 May 2025
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Sherrill has held a consistent yet narrow lead in recent surveys.—
Andrew Stanton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Insular.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insular. Accessed 22 May. 2025.
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