small-mindedness

noun

as in bigotry
stubborn or intolerant adherence to one's opinions or prejudices the small-mindedness of her parents would never allow them to accept a son-in-law of a different religion

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 small-mindedness The show gestures at the classic targets of old-timey sexism, small-mindedness, and nativism—much of it embodied by Gasteyer’s scheming character—but only in the safest possible ways. — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 21 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for small-mindedness
  1. bigotry
  2. intolerance
  3. prejudice
  4. dogmatism
  5. narrow-mindedness
  6. illiberalism
  7. bias
  8. partisanship
Noun
  • In fact, at no point in his broader career has the 31-year-old, who is known for his racist slurs and unabashed bigotry, achieved anything of note.
    — Ali Breland, The Atlantic, 20 Aug. 2026
  • In our conversation, Nunez pointed to brand campaigns that seem so tone-deaf that they border bigotry.
    — Dr. Marcus Collins, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
Definition of bigotry
Noun
  • Key Takeaways People choose to follow a dairy-free diet because of a milk allergy, lactose intolerance, or personal preference.
    — Carrie Madormo, Verywell Health, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Some scientists speculate that acetaldehyde might trigger a release of the immune-signalling chemical histamine, leading to alcohol-intolerance symptoms.
    — Shayla Love, New Yorker, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of intolerance
Noun
  • In May 2022, the parties signed an agreement dismissing the arbitration without prejudice.
    — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Conley, an appointee of former President Barack Obama, dismissed the case without prejudice for lack of subject matter jurisdiction and granted the defendants’ sanctions motions.
    — Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of prejudice
Noun
  • When authenticity becomes uncompromising, candor turns belligerent, consistency becomes rigid, or principled decision-making morphs into dogmatism, even the best intentions can backfire.
    — Mary Crossan, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026
  • By staying so close to black metal’s core sound, Marchenko does more to undermine the dogmatism—both racial and aesthetic—of Vikernes and his ilk than a more obviously experimental project might.
    — Sadie Sartini Garner, Pitchfork, 31 Mar. 2026
Definition of dogmatism
Noun
  • That narrow-mindedness is immediately apparent when Nick asks his congregation to help the group of unhoused people, a little over a dozen souls or so, who live in a makeshift camp on the edge of town.
    — Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Mann loves a man with an obsession, but this sentiment is about expanding that narrow-mindedness to make space in our lives for others.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 29 July 2026
Definition of narrow-mindedness
Noun
  • Resorting to violence merely strengthens the forces of illiberalism and sense of disorder upon which Trumpism feeds.
    — Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 28 Apr. 2026
  • The signal predicament of our era is the global rise of illiberalism and intolerance.
    — Christopher Beha, New Yorker, 14 Feb. 2026
Definition of illiberalism
Noun
  • According to the American Civil Liberties Union in 2020, this technology can result in bias and inaccuracies.
    — Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Every public high school student will be required to complete two 45-minute AI-literacy modules, covering what AI is and is not, as well as bias, risks, ethics, careers and future skills.
    — Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of bias
Noun
  • But partisanship surfaced even in the ritual public mourning for the two women.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Some fans reflected that Parton represented a different era of America, one that wasn’t defined by political divisions and partisanship.
    — Rachel Hale, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of partisanship

Browse Nearby Words

small-minded
small-mindedness
smallness
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Cite this Entry

“Small-mindedness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/small-mindedness. Accessed 11 Sep. 2026.

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