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. small-mindedness
  6. bias
  7. illiberalism
  8. partisanship
Noun
  • In our conversation, Nunez pointed to brand campaigns that seem so tone-deaf that they border bigotry.
    — Dr. Marcus Collins, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
  • The wall of xenophobia and bigotry, turned on its side, can be a table.
    — Josh Fox, IndieWire, 17 July 2026
Definition of bigotry
Noun
  • Thus, feta is considered easier to digest than most other cheeses, even for those with a slight lactose intolerance.
    — Alessandra Signorelli, Vogue, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Following the pandemic and resurgence of fascism and brutal deceits, and picking up on the discussions of shame found in My 1980s Gayboy Playlist, Ashby has now focused on indignity and intolerance.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 Aug. 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
  • In that sense Cunningham’s view is largely seen as only further marginalizing a trans community already suffering from lack of understanding, prejudice and bullying.
    — Greg Cote August 14, Miami Herald, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Tempered by generations of poverty, war, and rank prejudice, so many Afghan women refuse to be bowed or broken.
    — Mark Sappenfield, Christian Science Monitor, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of prejudice
Noun
  • 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
  • In Utah, training starts with the basics of how AI works to teach an understanding of AI bias, hallucinations, ethical concerns and data privacy needs, Winters said.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The whole mess perfectly highlight how AI models can further biases deeply entrenched in their training data from the open web.
    — Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 20 Aug. 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
Noun
  • Maviglio argued that the top-two primary has failed to deliver on its promises to reduce partisanship and budget deficits in Sacramento.
    — Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Policymakers in Washington should look to Florida for a lesson in putting partisanship aside to protect people and lower costs.
    — Jaclyn de Medicci Bruneau, Sun Sentinel, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of partisanship

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 21 Aug. 2026.

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