small-minded

adjective

small-mind·​ed ˈsmȯl-ˈmīn-dəd How to pronounce small-minded (audio)
Synonyms of small-mindednext
1
: having narrow interests, sympathies, or outlook
2
: typical of a small-minded person : marked by pettiness, narrowness, or meanness
small-minded conduct
small-mindedly adverb
small-mindedness noun

Examples of small-minded in a Sentence

a small-minded man only concerned with his own well-being resented the small-minded people who automatically opposed every new idea
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
All those small-hearted, small-minded people, there’s a hell for you. Marlow Stern, Variety, 25 May 2026 All those small-hearted, small-minded people, there's a hell for you. Sharareh Drury, Entertainment Weekly, 25 May 2026 Stedman offers a heartfelt homage to the virtues of rural community and the natural beauty unique to Western Australia, as well as a critique of the strictures and dangers inherent in small-minded communities. The Know, Denver Post, 26 Apr. 2026 What if both groups ignored the small-minded prison of petty politics? Aaron Everitt, STAT, 10 Apr. 2026 The richest team in the league has now become its most small-minded and timid, afraid to do anything approaching creativity or boldness. James Mirtle, New York Times, 31 Mar. 2026 In Mohit’s telling, Laxman seems merely grubby and small-minded. Literary Hub, 12 Mar. 2026 Any negative pushback in this moment will be interpreted as a small-minded and eminently self-serving response that puts parochial party interests above the interests of the country. Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 3 Mar. 2026 These are not small-minded accomplishments. Michael Stepner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1811, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of small-minded was in 1811

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Small-minded.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/small-minded. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Kids Definition

small-minded

adjective
small-mind·​ed
ˈsmȯl-ˈmīn-dəd
1
: having narrow interests, sympathies, or outlook
2
: typical of a small-minded person : petty
small-mindedness noun
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