as in parochial
not broad or open in views or opinions
an insular community that is not receptive of new ideas, especially from outsiders
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of insular
In that sense, the Rockies — often criticized for their insular, and routinely unsuccessful, baseball operation — were well ahead of the curve.
—
Kyle Newman, The Denver Post, 6 Jan. 2025
Often family businesses are so insular and stunted and hollow.
—Caroline Frost, Deadline, 5 Jan. 2025
Belichick, always an insular coach, further withdrew during that season amid his team’s struggles, according to team sources with knowledge of the situation.
—Chad Graff, The Athletic, 8 Jan. 2025
An even more explicit example of Marin County’s stubborn resistance is occurring in Fairfax, another insular community a few miles from Newsom’s new home.
—Dan Walters, The Mercury News, 12 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for insular 
Kyle Newman, The Denver Post, 6 Jan. 2025
Often family businesses are so insular and stunted and hollow.
—Caroline Frost, Deadline, 5 Jan. 2025
Belichick, always an insular coach, further withdrew during that season amid his team’s struggles, according to team sources with knowledge of the situation.
—Chad Graff, The Athletic, 8 Jan. 2025
An even more explicit example of Marin County’s stubborn resistance is occurring in Fairfax, another insular community a few miles from Newsom’s new home.
—Dan Walters, The Mercury News, 12 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for insular
Recent Examples of Synonyms for insular
Adjective
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This may seem like an impossible task in a world where politics is becoming more divisive, foreign policy more parochial, and social media bubbles more impenetrable.—
Harvey Whitehouse,
WIRED,
23 Jan. 2025
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For more than a century, religious education had been deeply entrenched in the state; in Cleveland, the parochial system was one of the largest in the country.—
Alec MacGillis,
ProPublica,
13 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Is what he’s done a small sample size thing or something more?—
James Mirtle,
The Athletic,
18 Feb. 2025
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No matter if they’re labeled green, farmers’ or artisans’ markets, the gatherings are a source of one-stop shopping for specialty goods that help patrons kick their cooking up a notch while also supporting small businesses.—
Kari Barnett,
Sun Sentinel,
18 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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What does revoking Biden's security clearance accomplish other than satisfy a petty grievance of a childish man?—
Yaakov Katz,
Newsweek,
8 Feb. 2025
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The purview of his catalogue narrowed, focusing on refining a reputation as a petty king in rap and in relationships.—
Craig Jenkins,
Vulture,
7 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The gap is quite narrow in some places, like Delaware and Maryland, but in places like Kentucky, systemic racial barriers continue to hold people back.—
Ben Berkowitz,
Axios,
17 Feb. 2025
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Last night’s special had a comparatively narrow focus, prioritizing the characters and celebrities that many younger viewers would recognize.—
Esther Zuckerman,
The Atlantic,
17 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near insular
Cite this Entry
“Insular.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insular. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.
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