as in small
not broad or open in views or opinions
the parochial pastimes of the people in that rural farm town
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of parochial
Working-class voters visiting a Reform clubhouse were more likely to find young professionals discussing weighty matters of foreign policy rather than parochial issues like street paving.
—
Daniel Wortel-London, Washington Post, 5 Jan. 2026
Looming over the desk is a giant cross made of yardsticks, those famous instruments of parochial-school torment, formed into a set of crosshairs.
—Alex Jovanovich, Artforum, 1 Jan. 2026
But my concerns are primarily parochial.
—Tim Dunn, Boston Herald, 24 Dec. 2025
With Perth being the most isolated city in the world, it is often seen as parochial.
—Michael Bailey, New York Times, 19 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for parochial
Daniel Wortel-London, Washington Post, 5 Jan. 2026
Looming over the desk is a giant cross made of yardsticks, those famous instruments of parochial-school torment, formed into a set of crosshairs.
—Alex Jovanovich, Artforum, 1 Jan. 2026
But my concerns are primarily parochial.
—Tim Dunn, Boston Herald, 24 Dec. 2025
With Perth being the most isolated city in the world, it is often seen as parochial.
—Michael Bailey, New York Times, 19 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for parochial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for parochial
Adjective
-
But the proposal would only actually impact a small few — billionaires.—
Paris Barraza,
USA Today,
21 Feb. 2026
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The first call for help was a silent text message from an emergency beacon, mobilizing a small army of rescuers dispatched from different directions.—
Ray Sanchez,
CNN Money,
21 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Here are some of the pettiest, most unimportant frustrations so far.—
Kathryn VanArendonk,
Vulture,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Forget all this childish behavior and just stop being so petty.—
Marcia Kramer,
CBS News,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The goal was for the GOP to hold onto a narrow House majority in the face of political headwinds that typically favor the party out of power in midterms.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
21 Feb. 2026
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The narrow waterway, just 21 miles wide, serves as a pinch point for 20 million barrels of crude every day, about one-fifth of global production.—
David Goldman,
CNN Money,
20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Somehow, this insular, resolutely regional album ended up yet another peak in his storied career.—
Andrew R. Chow,
Time,
9 Feb. 2026
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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
Adjective
-
Last year’s conflict with Israel laid bare weaknesses in Iran’s command structures under pressure, with Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei reportedly becoming increasingly hard to reach and authority devolving to provincial governors.—
Farida Elsebai,
CNN Money,
20 Feb. 2026
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Havana’s streets and all provincial cities are full of trash and waste dumps are overflowing due to the fuel crisis to the point that residents have begun to burn them.—
Sarah Moreno
Updated February 19,
Miami Herald,
19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Yemen has been mired for more than a decade in a civil war that involves a complex interplay of sectarian and tribal grievances and the involvement of regional powers.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Islamic State is a Sunni group that has targeted Pakistan’s Shiite minority in the past, apparently seeking to stoke sectarian divisions in the majority Sunni country.—
Munir Ahmed,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
How about the little things, like mini bar, or shower goodies.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Feb. 2026
-
In fact, very little separates them.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
22 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Parochial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/parochial. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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