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
Nearly all clients were white, came from similar educational and social backgrounds, elite schools, insular networks, and a culture built around exclusivity disguised as meritocracy.
—
Brennan Nevada Johnson, Fortune, 22 Feb. 2026
Somehow, this insular, resolutely regional album ended up yet another peak in his storied career.
—Andrew R. Chow, Time, 9 Feb. 2026
In this unforgettable work of literary-fiction, Desiree and Stella leave their insular community to explore the world.
—Amanda Favazza, Southern Living, 6 Feb. 2026
The new song moves away from the Reagan-era-pop fixation of Harry’s House, an insular work also shaped by domestic seclusion in 2020.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for insular
Brennan Nevada Johnson, Fortune, 22 Feb. 2026
Somehow, this insular, resolutely regional album ended up yet another peak in his storied career.
—Andrew R. Chow, Time, 9 Feb. 2026
In this unforgettable work of literary-fiction, Desiree and Stella leave their insular community to explore the world.
—Amanda Favazza, Southern Living, 6 Feb. 2026
The new song moves away from the Reagan-era-pop fixation of Harry’s House, an insular work also shaped by domestic seclusion in 2020.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for insular
Recent Examples of Synonyms for insular
Adjective
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Any negative pushback in this moment will be interpreted as a small-minded and eminently self-serving response that puts parochial party interests above the interests of the country.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
3 Mar. 2026
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Democrats who opposed the bill, however, said the money would mainly go to private or parochial institutions and is part of the Republican caucus's efforts to direct money into private education.—
Keely Doll,
Louisville Courier Journal,
27 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Although discrepancies are smaller in data-rich regions such as Western Europe and the eastern United States, where robust local monitoring has kept projections more closely calibrated, the study identifies the West Coast of North America as a region where sea levels have also been underestimated.—
Marcos Magaña,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
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Violas have smaller flowers and stay shorter.—
Chris McKeown,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
7 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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What is the pettiest thing that annoys you during a race weekend?—
Jeff Gluck,
New York Times,
5 Mar. 2026
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Travelers can also take additional steps by staying vigilant for petty crime, and moving throughout the city with extra awareness.—
Michael Cappetta,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Zero tankers transited the Strait of Hormuz Wednesday, a narrow channel just off Iran’s southern coast that’s normally packed with an armada of 60 or more ships carrying 20% of the world’s oil.—
Vanessa Yurkevich,
CNN Money,
6 Mar. 2026
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The narrow Strait is the only way for tankers to enter and exit the Persian Gulf.—
Spencer Kimball,
CNBC,
6 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Insular.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insular. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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