PROVINCIAL Synonyms: 90 Similar and Opposite Words

provincial 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of provincial

as in parochial

not broad or open in views or opinions some people regard a fear of new things as an unmistakable sign of a provincial attitude

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

provincial

2 of 2

noun

prə-ˈvin(t)-shəl

as in peasant

an awkward or simple person especially from a small town or the country the confidence man figured that fleecing these provincials would be easy

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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 provincial

Adjective

Online databases, provincial vital records offices, and archives help reconstruct the family chain. — Andy J. Semotiuk, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026 Here in British Columbia, for example, your provincial digital ID already links not only vaccination records, but also driver’s licenses, health data, education, land titles, property records, benefits, vehicle registration, insurance, permits, court records and business registrations. — Rachel Marsden, Hartford Courant, 21 June 2026

Noun

Not long after his ordination, he was named the Jesuit provincial for Argentina, which put him in charge of the order’s activities throughout the country. — Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 21 Apr. 2025 The same year, he was appointed as a provincial for the order. — Caitlin McFall, FOXNews.com, 21 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for provincial

Recent Examples of Synonyms for provincial

Adjective

Many children in Florida attending private, parochial or homeschool programs do not take the Florida Assessment of Student Thinking, or FAST, test, which is used by Florida’s public school districts to measure students’ achievement.

— Kendall Deas, The Conversation, 6 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

Definition of parochial

Noun

Coastal-meets-countryside, meaning the brand’s online shelves are well-stocked with pleated shirtdresses, flowing peasant tops, and striped mesh tote bags for housing towels and your newest beach read.

— Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 2 July 2026
The back-to-the-land aesthetic of peasant skirts, head scarves, and florals seems to seep into fashion at this time of year, but a distinctly folk vibe is now taking over interiors too.

— Francesca Perry, Vogue, 29 June 2026

Definition of peasant

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

Noun

When Johnson was vice president and visiting Europe, there were reports filed by these British ambassadors in several countries that basically made fun of him as a hick.

— Wendy Naugle, USA Today, 14 Apr. 2026
So a bunch of hicks from Topeka were left up to our own devices of going down to Robert Hall and finding something that might be kind of cool.

— Devon Ivie, Vulture, 8 Apr. 2026

Definition of hick

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

Its designs were suited to its urban New England market — three stories high with a narrow footprint.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
Sheer rock walls loom on one side, while the other, which is largely unguarded, plunges to the narrow canyon below.

— Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 2026

Definition of narrow

Noun

It was left to the feds in Boston to arrest Farwell, after Meatball’s local yokels adamantly refused to do anything other than try to broom the crime by one of their own.

— Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 26 Apr. 2026
Part of his way of taking it yokel — besides bringing in Foo Fighter Rami Jaffee on accordion and Willie Aron blowing harmonica — was to add a previously unheard yodel to the chorus.

— Chris Willman, Variety, 27 Oct. 2025

Definition of yokel

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“Provincial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/provincial. Accessed 12 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of provincial

adjective

noun

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