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 region’s hip-hop culture is known for its independence and insular spirit born of a combination of pimp culture, Black Panther ideology, and funk music.
—
Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 30 May 2025
Buildup of natural immunity When the first measles cases were confirmed in western Texas, health officials said the infections primarily affected insular communities, such as the Mennonite community.
—Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 27 May 2025
In the film, the line is meant to portray what Armstrong sees as the technology industry’s insular and even arrogant nature.
—Chris Perry, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025
Both bands got there after years building devoted, insular fandoms, while also serving as entry points into the genre for newcomers.
—August Brown, Los Angeles Times, 28 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for insular
Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 30 May 2025
Buildup of natural immunity When the first measles cases were confirmed in western Texas, health officials said the infections primarily affected insular communities, such as the Mennonite community.
—Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 27 May 2025
In the film, the line is meant to portray what Armstrong sees as the technology industry’s insular and even arrogant nature.
—Chris Perry, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025
Both bands got there after years building devoted, insular fandoms, while also serving as entry points into the genre for newcomers.
—August Brown, Los Angeles Times, 28 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for insular
Recent Examples of Synonyms for insular
Adjective
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In his quest for a definitive biography of Joyce as a cosmopolitan artist, above the parochial fray, Ellmann downplayed Joyce’s interest in politics.—
Eric Bulson,
The Atlantic,
16 June 2025
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Rather, Colbert won after knocking, by his count, on 20,000 doors, wearing out several pairs of size 15 shoes and putting parochial concerns, such as wildfire prevention, disaster preparedness and flood control, at the center of his campaign.—
Mark Z. Barabak,
Los Angeles Times,
5 June 2025
Adjective
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The veteran would be a small upgrade in the outfield for the Padres.—
Zach Pressnell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 July 2025
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When the team stumbles across a small Titanosaurus herd, the film privileges Henry’s reaction as the paleontologist witnesses an elegant mating ritual for the first time.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
30 June 2025
Adjective
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While Lian was staring in the mirror practicing her hows and lows and preparing for her future, Wenyu was sneaking out of prep class more and more frequently to pull petty pranks with her new boyfriend.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 July 2025
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Seventy-five years later, some of the Tribune’s criticisms seem petty.—
Ron Grossman,
Chicago Tribune,
25 June 2025
Adjective
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In more challenging games, however, the side often flatters to deceive and occasionally slips up, as a narrow 2-1 victory over Boca Juniors and 0-1 loss to Benfica showed.—
Zak Garner-Purkis,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
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Nothing dramatizes the human comedy with more precision than the sound of a happily narrow mind retorting to the wider environment.—
Anthony Lane,
New Yorker,
30 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Insular.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insular. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.
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