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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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 Such decisions arguably can best be done at a state level rather than from the more parochial position of city mayors. — David Greising, Chicago Tribune, 5 June 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for parochial

Recent Examples of Synonyms for parochial

Adjective

Choose one grounding task, one budget-friendly move, and one small boundary.

— Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 July 2026
If reliable payment flows depend on a small number of large miners or dedicated pools, Bitcoin payments could become faster and more commercial, but also more dependent on specific infrastructure providers.

— Sean Lee, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026

Definition of small

Adjective

Hegseth has already challenged that premise in ways both meaningful and petty, by circumventing the normal promotion process to push out officers far below him or to stall their advancements, and by firing senior officers set for even higher rank.

— Missy Ryan, The Atlantic, 22 July 2026
But while Argentina was being petty and petulant, Spain was practically perfect in every way.

— Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 20 July 2026

Definition of petty

Adjective

This year, lawmakers introduced narrower proposals, including a bill to create a statewide HOA complaint tracking system, but those measures remain stuck in committee.

— Nora O'Neill July 28, Charlotte Observer, 28 July 2026
Given how unsettled the AI capital-spending cycle, macro policy, and geopolitical risk all are simultaneously, genuine diversification away from a narrow, concentrated public market has real value—and arguably more than usual.

— Carrie McCabe, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026

Definition of narrow

Adjective

Cheapening a Storied Brand Furthermore, the Klarna partnership cheapens Apple’s premium brand identity, which was in part achieved by its extremely insular ecosystem.

— Bee Wertheimer, PC Magazine, 24 July 2026
The leader of his country’s Socialist Party, Rama came to power in 2013, as Albania was still sloughing off its insular identity.

— Isaac Stanley-Becker, The Atlantic, 23 July 2026

Definition of insular

Adjective

The greatest player of all time notched 230 career regular-season points against the Flames and asserted Edmonton’s provincial dominance in the 1980s.

— Sean McIndoe, New York Times, 25 July 2026
Canada offers lucrative federal and provincial tax credit systems, which Paper Route plans to offer third-parties, along with the scope to hire experienced crews and production capabilities from development through to delivery.

— Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 22 July 2026

Definition of provincial

Adjective

He was arrested in Lebanon last year and sentenced by a military court to three months’ imprisonment for offenses including incitement to religious and sectarian conflict.

— Geir Moulson, Chicago Tribune, 26 July 2026
An intervention would risk shattering Lebanon, igniting sectarian strife, and further destabilizing the entire region, potentially undermining Sharaa's government.

— Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 25 July 2026

Definition of sectarian

Adjective

Sheinbaum has said that little evidence has emerged to substantiate claims of cartels interfering with elections, and noted that a state-level electoral tribunal ratified Rocha’s win in Sinaloa, after examining reports of irregularities.

— Mary Beth Sheridan, CNN Money, 25 July 2026
Music, Fashion, Film wants little to do with 2024’s accessible dance-pop and persistent focus on branding.

— Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 24 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 31 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of parochial

adjective

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