PAROCHIAL Synonyms: 60 Similar and Opposite Words

parochial

adjective

pə-ˈrō-kē-əl

Definition of parochial

as in small

not broad or open in views or opinions the parochial pastimes of the people in that rural farm town

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 parochial Several residents who spoke at the meetings characterized the opposition as a vocal minority of residents who have fixated on a few mostly parochial issues. — John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 1 Aug. 2026 All but one, Pulaski Academy in Little Rock, were either parochial or had some religious affiliation. — Arkansas Online, 25 July 2026 Realism shouldn’t be applied to a show like President Curtis, but the initial adventure isn’t funny enough to stanch the flow of parochial curiosities. — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 24 July 2026 From a parochial point of view, former Bruin goalie Joonas Korpisalo is now a Blueshirt after being dealt to Broadway on July 1. — Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 15 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for parochial

Recent Examples of Synonyms for parochial

Adjective

There’s also a small but well-equipped 24-hour gym, a sauna, steam rooms, and a Jacuzzi area with daybeds.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Oct. 2026
In a small Idaho town, a young mother is accused of killing her young twins.

— Glenn Thrush Eric Schmitt Liam Stack Tim Balk, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of small

Adjective

Stanley’s co-defendant, unsuccessful county commissioner candidate and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools bus driver Heather Morrow, was found guilty of the petty offenses and the misdemeanor assault charge.

— Julia Coin, Charlotte Observer, 7 Oct. 2026
Letts makes the most of his brief screen time as a manipulator whose petty genius lies in creating an artificial scarcity for his affections.

— Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of petty

Adjective

Despite steady attacks from Iran, oil tankers and other commercial vessels have continued flowing through the narrow waterway.

— Jason Ma, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2026
Acton holds a narrow edge over Republican firebrand Vivek Ramaswamy, while Kaptur is contending with a tough reelection battle after Ohio Republicans redrew the boundaries of the longtime congresswoman’s district to pull in more GOP voters.

— Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of narrow

Adjective

But Carney’s united front is being tested once more, following separatist Parti Québécois’ (PQ) win in Quebec’s provincial election on Monday.

— Tiago Ventura, Time, 7 Oct. 2026
New Brunswick’s provincial government has already signed a Letter of Intent to purchase power from the plant.

— Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of provincial

Adjective

At the sectarian level, Baptists ridiculed Quakers, Presbyterians oppressed Anabaptists.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026
After conquering a country in ruins and containing sectarian strife, Syria’s postrevolutionary government is facing its most serious crisis yet – at the pumps.

— Taylor Luck, Christian Science Monitor, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of sectarian

Adjective

While her work regularly brings her into close proximity with children, Uta has little interest in starting a family of her own.

— Guy Lodge, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026
His viewing has little to do with finance, ranging from 1950s commercials to Uzbekistan’s version of America’s Got Talent.

— Preston Fore, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of little

Browse Nearby Words

parlous

parochial

parochialism

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Parochial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/parochial. Accessed 11 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of parochial

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

galore

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes