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 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 They are hired hands and stewards of other people’s capital, with no desire to becoming embroiled in internecine squabbles between clashing advocates, parochial activists, and plain opportunists latching on to the moment. — Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 28 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for parochial

Recent Examples of Synonyms for parochial

Adjective

Rooms This is a big hotel, with 177 rooms and suites that range in size and shape from the smallest superior rooms to the impressive top-floor penthouse.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Sep. 2026
Newsom, in his veto message at the time, cited concerns about stifling innovation and said smaller AI models, which would have been exempt from the law, could also be dangerous.

— Dakota Smith, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of small

Adjective

Now there seems to be a petty attempt to call out cheating when no cheating took place.

— Matt Calkins OutKick, FOXNews.com, 22 Sep. 2026
This year, alluding to the president’s petty penchant for renaming things, the town has changed its name from South Park to South America, altering the theme song, local signage and local speech, without protest.

— Maira Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of petty

Adjective

The males feed under a narrow, white, waxy coating and mate with females in spring.

— Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 20 Sep. 2026
That changed in 2013, when a small, dark body orbiting between Saturn and Uranus passed in front of a star and blinked twice on either side of the main event, revealing two narrow rings around an object barely 250 kilometers across.

— Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of narrow

Adjective

Recent major outbreaks in Texas, South Carolina and Pennsylvania reveal the threat of measles in undervaccinated, insular communities.

— Lauren J. Young, Scientific American, 18 Sep. 2026
To recover her daughter, Gulzhan must reckon with both the insular community and the darker currents of a heritage that refuses to yield.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of insular

Adjective

An attacker apparently rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into the mosque, said Zulfiqar Hameed, the provincial police chief.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 19 Sep. 2026
Rolly Doane Aquino, a provincial disaster response official in South Cotabato province, said three people were killed and six others were hospitalized after the shooting at Banga National High School in the town of Banga.

— ABC News, ABC News, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of provincial

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 25 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of parochial

adjective

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