narrow-mindedness

noun

as in bigotry
stubborn or intolerant adherence to one's opinions or prejudices the narrow-mindedness of some people prevents them from seeing that not all changes are for the worse

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 narrow-mindedness That narrow-mindedness is immediately apparent when Nick asks his congregation to help the group of unhoused people, a little over a dozen souls or so, who live in a makeshift camp on the edge of town. — Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 18 Aug. 2026 Mann loves a man with an obsession, but this sentiment is about expanding that narrow-mindedness to make space in our lives for others. — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 29 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for narrow-mindedness
  1. bigotry
  2. intolerance
  3. dogmatism
  4. prejudice
  5. sectarianism
  6. small-mindedness
  7. bias
  8. illiberalism
Noun
  • For the moment, Trump’s vicious bigotry has alienated most independent voters and even some Republicans.
    — David Yassky, New York Daily News, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Anti-white bigotry has become accepted and, at times, rewarded in public discourse.
    — Bobby Burack OutKick, FOXNews.com, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of bigotry
Noun
  • Critics said that his case reflected Beijing’s emphasis on security and intolerance of dissent, even though Macao’s pro-democracy movement has never been as influential as that in neighboring Hong Kong.
    — Kanis Leung, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2026
  • And because so many Montreal chefs have passed through Morin’s kitchens, his influence looms large over the city’s fine dining scene—and its spirit of hospitality toward those with allergies and intolerances.
    — Luke Pyenson, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of intolerance
Noun
  • When authenticity becomes uncompromising, candor turns belligerent, consistency becomes rigid, or principled decision-making morphs into dogmatism, even the best intentions can backfire.
    — Mary Crossan, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026
  • By staying so close to black metal’s core sound, Marchenko does more to undermine the dogmatism—both racial and aesthetic—of Vikernes and his ilk than a more obviously experimental project might.
    — Sadie Sartini Garner, Pitchfork, 31 Mar. 2026
Definition of dogmatism
Noun
  • The new Holocaust Museum for Hope & Humanity will teach the next generation how to continue to fight back against antisemitism and all forms of prejudice and bigotry.
    — Linda Chapin, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Nov. 2026
  • Gleason dismissed the case without prejudice, denied permission to amend again, and rejected the discovery request as moot.
    — Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of prejudice
Noun
  • The pullout, however, leaves a new Iraqi government with the daunting task of loosening Iran’s grip on its neighbor, which has long been trapped in a cycle of sectarianism, foreign meddling and civil conflict.
    — Sarah Tamimi, CNN Money, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of sectarianism
Noun
  • Kingsolver makes this a more complicated notion by gradually revealing Livia’s secrets as well as her mother’s, and the two characters’ interactions exist in a realm beyond a simple critique driven by rural sexism or small-mindedness.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026
  • The show gestures at the classic targets of old-timey sexism, small-mindedness, and nativism—much of it embodied by Gasteyer’s scheming character—but only in the safest possible ways.
    — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 21 Apr. 2026
Definition of small-mindedness
Noun
  • However, the appointment has received flak, as comments James made about the case before she was tapped to lead the investigation have drawn accusations of bias from lawyers of the seven men accused.
    — Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Psychologists call it normalcy bias — the idea that tomorrow will look a lot like yesterday.
    — Marc Silver, NPR, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of bias
Noun
  • Resorting to violence merely strengthens the forces of illiberalism and sense of disorder upon which Trumpism feeds.
    — Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 28 Apr. 2026
  • The signal predicament of our era is the global rise of illiberalism and intolerance.
    — Christopher Beha, New Yorker, 14 Feb. 2026
Definition of illiberalism

Browse Nearby Words

narrow-minded
narrow-mindedness
narrowness
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Cite this Entry

“Narrow-mindedness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/narrow-mindedness. Accessed 8 Nov. 2026.

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