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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Recent Examples of parochial
With Perth being the most isolated city in the world, it is often seen as parochial.
—
Michael Bailey, New York Times, 19 Nov. 2025
At times, Pelosi had a majority as small as four votes and at others had to acquiesce to parochial demands of Democratic Senators in a 50-50 Upper Chamber.
—Philip Elliott, Time, 6 Nov. 2025
The move likely seeks to rein in parochial infighting between military branches, which compete for congressional funding every year despite Hegseth and the White House officially controlling the process.
—Davis Winkie, USA Today, 21 Oct. 2025
Aquila served as a parochial vicar in two parishes from 1976 to 1982 and then as pastor at Denver’s Guardian Angels Parish from 1982 to 1987.
—Elizabeth Hernandez, Denver Post, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for parochial
Michael Bailey, New York Times, 19 Nov. 2025
At times, Pelosi had a majority as small as four votes and at others had to acquiesce to parochial demands of Democratic Senators in a 50-50 Upper Chamber.
—Philip Elliott, Time, 6 Nov. 2025
The move likely seeks to rein in parochial infighting between military branches, which compete for congressional funding every year despite Hegseth and the White House officially controlling the process.
—Davis Winkie, USA Today, 21 Oct. 2025
Aquila served as a parochial vicar in two parishes from 1976 to 1982 and then as pastor at Denver’s Guardian Angels Parish from 1982 to 1987.
—Elizabeth Hernandez, Denver Post, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for parochial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for parochial
Adjective
-
This seems odd but ripening fruit releases small amounts of ethylene gas which can reduce the longevity of the arrangement.—
Chris McKeown,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
7 Feb. 2026
-
But the geographical distance is small compared to the geopolitical canyon the Games hope to bridge.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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But Putin was not going to launch a new war against Turkey’s rebel allies just to save a petty dictator whose own soldiers were deserting.—
Robert F. Worth,
The Atlantic,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Ruling like a petty tyrant from the company’s headquarters in lower Manhattan, Coplan isn’t an easy boss to work with, according to new reporting by the Wall Street Journal.—
Joe Wilkins Published Feb 4,
Futurism,
4 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Experts believe the crown’s flexible mount was strained when thieves wrenched it from its display through a narrow slot cut by the angle grinder, according to a report by the Louvre.—
Laura Sharman,
CNN Money,
6 Feb. 2026
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While investigators continue to evaluate the validity of the notes, some Americans may wonder if the Bitcoin address would be enough to find the culprit or at least narrow the search for the kidnapper.—
Jane Onyanga-Omara,
USA Today,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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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
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The new song moves away from the Reagan-era-pop fixation of Harry’s House, an insular work also shaped by domestic seclusion in 2020.—
Craig Jenkins,
Vulture,
23 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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In other attacks, militants attempted to storm the provincial headquarters of paramilitary forces in Nushki district, but the attack was repelled, police said.—
Abdul Sattar,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Another separatist group called Stay Free Alberta has been gathering signatures for a petition to ask the provincial government to call a referendum, and some meetings have drawn large crowds.—
Lex Harvey,
CNN Money,
30 Jan. 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
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The importance of motive At this point, there’s little to suggest the motive is political or ideological, Leising said.—
Chris Kenning,
USA Today,
8 Feb. 2026
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The big-tech releases from last week did little to calm nerves stateside, while some of Europe's biggest names are preparing to report this week.—
Leonie Kidd,
CNBC,
8 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Parochial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/parochial. Accessed 11 Feb. 2026.
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