as in ethnic
of, relating to, or reflecting the traits exhibited by a group of people with a common ancestry and culture a tribal solidarity that transcends all other loyalties or bonds

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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 tribal Humans, therefore, are assumed to be inherently tribal because of our prehistoric ancestors. Dr. Rami Kaminski, Time, 18 June 2025 Less than two years ago, the administration of President Joe Biden announced what tribal leaders hailed as an unprecedented commitment to the Native tribes whose ways of life had been devastated by federal dam-building along the Columbia River in the Pacific Northwest. Tony Schick, ProPublica, 13 June 2025 Unlike many other tribes, which were forcibly removed from their ancestral homelands and relocated to reservations, the Anishinaabe never left the Great Lakes, and many tribal members still live in the region today. Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 June 2025 The measures would have rewritten principles in the country’s founding document, a treaty between Māori tribal leaders and representatives of the British Crown signed at the time New Zealand was colonized. Charlotte Graham-McLay, Christian Science Monitor, 5 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for tribal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tribal
Adjective
  • The data highlight significant ethnic differences in how menopause is experienced, and underscore the need for more inclusive, culturally sensitive care models.
    Sophie Okolo, Forbes.com, 14 June 2025
  • Film has always been an important medium for cultural exchange, so as a significant international film festival, SIFF has persisted in using film as a link to continuously deepen the exchange and mutual learning between film cultures across various countries, ethnic groups and regions.
    Mathew Scott, HollywoodReporter, 13 June 2025
Adjective
  • But the racial order of the day also made these jobs, which were physically challenging to begin with, especially demeaning, humiliating, and fraught with danger.
    Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 21 June 2025
  • California Fears of racial profiling rise as Border Patrol conducts ‘roving patrols,’ detains U.S. citizens June 15, 2025 Many of the workers were registered with IDEPSCA’s day laborer program.
    Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2025
Adjective
  • The United Nations broadly defines genocide as seriously harming or killing members of a group with the intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group.
    Kathryn Watson, CBS News, 12 Apr. 2022
  • Pippa Small Getty ImagesJeff Spicer/BFC Meghan's support for ethnical clothing labels naturally extends to her jewelry collection.
    Marina Liao, Marie Claire, 2 Jan. 2019

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Cite this Entry

“Tribal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tribal. Accessed 26 Jun. 2025.

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