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

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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 Besides, the budget has a little something for every lawmaker, with about 2,000 parochial projects sprinkled across the state, the vast majority sponsored by Republicans. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 28 May 2026 Distraught by life in the South, Reed figured that the only way to escape his parochial childhood was to write his way out. — Duane Byrge, HollywoodReporter, 12 May 2026 The school, a private parochial campus overseen by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Des Moines, had 390 students in kindergarten through eighth grade in 2025, according to its website. — Nick El Hajj, Des Moines Register, 25 Mar. 2026 Necks craning to the back of the hall, a hush fell over the small parochial church of Santa María Trinitá on the African island of São Tomé. — Literary Hub, 19 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for parochial

Recent Examples of Synonyms for parochial

Adjective

In contrast, instruments on the FireSat satellites will be able to detect small brush and roadside fires 16 feet across.

— Eric Niiler, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
At the Cannes Film Festival in May, the model Toni Garrn made a striking appearance in a blue-black bustier dress embroidered with small petals.

— Amy Verner, Vogue, 6 July 2026

Definition of small

Adjective

Less social cohesion A decade ago, crime was infrequent and petty.

— Joseph J. Gonzalez, The Conversation, 9 July 2026
The general reaction to the policy has been overwhelmingly positive, Xue said, aside from some remarks on social media that charging for a smashed teacup was a petty move.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026

Definition of petty

Adjective

The broad straps offset the lower neckline, which scoops at its narrowest point for a softer look, rather than forming a harsh line.

— Irene Richardson, InStyle, 13 July 2026
Plans with lower monthly costs often have narrower networks of doctors and hospitals, and less generous drug coverage.

— Renuka Rayasam, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 July 2026

Definition of narrow

Adjective

The four-day tour through the Rust Belt is a sharp departure for a typically reserved and insular branch of government.

— ABC News, ABC News, 10 July 2026
Judges step off the bench The four-day tour through the Rust Belt is a sharp departure for a typically reserved and insular branch of government.

— Sudhin Thanawala, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026

Definition of insular

Adjective

The port city has been targeted before, most recently yesterday when the semi-official Fars News Agency reported the provincial government saying a projectile hit the western part of Bandar Abbas.

— Helen Regan, CNN Money, 14 July 2026
In June, the provincial government of Anhui published an action plan to fast-track BCI development across research, production and industrialization.

— Elaine Yu, CNBC, 11 July 2026

Definition of provincial

Adjective

In the months after Assad’s fall in Syria, there were several eruptions of violence between groups loyal and opposed to al-Sharaa that spiraled into sectarian revenge attacks, in which Sunni Islamist fighters affiliated with the new government carried out attacks on Alawite and Druze civilians.

— ABC News, ABC News, 28 June 2026
During the Biden administration, the DSA hemorrhaged members amid sectarian infighting, especially over Palestine.

— Michelle Goldberg, Mercury News, 27 June 2026

Definition of sectarian

Adjective

There may be shitty people afoot in Independence, but not in that little house, not tonight.

— Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 11 July 2026
The Lost Legends videos demonstrate that, as with anything artistic, the talent of creator is crucial to success in AI so, ironically, Hollywood has little to fear from the technology.

— Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026

Definition of little

Browse Nearby Words

parlous

parochial

parochialism

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“Parochial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/parochial. Accessed 17 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of parochial

adjective

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