small-minded

adjective

ˈsmȯl-ˈmīn-dəd How to pronounce small-minded (audio)
Definition of small-mindednext
1
as in narrow
unwilling to grant other people social rights or to accept other viewpoints a small-minded man only concerned with his own well-being

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in parochial
not broad or open in views or opinions resented the small-minded people who automatically opposed every new idea

Synonyms & Similar Words

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-minded In Mohit’s telling, Laxman seems merely grubby and small-minded. — Literary Hub, 12 Mar. 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 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 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 See All Example Sentences for small-minded
Recent Examples of Synonyms for small-minded
  1. narrow
  2. parochial
  3. provincial
  4. small
  5. bigoted
  6. petty
  7. narrow-minded
  8. insular
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
Adjective
  • 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
  • In the most parochial place that ever was or ever will be, authenticity functions as a means of psychic gatekeeping, and someone who doesn’t speak the lingua Francona isn’t someone who’s worth listening to when the game’s on.
    — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 12 June 2026
Definition of parochial
Adjective
  • Hualde says that some Pamplona residents rue his early promotion of the festival due to the ills of overtourism the sleepy provincial city is now experiencing.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 6 July 2026
  • Burgos Famed for its medieval architecture, this provincial capital will be busy for the eclipse, but pay close attention to sight lines.
    — Jamie Carter, Space.com, 5 July 2026
Definition of provincial
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
Adjective
  • Others warned that Emmer’s comments and the growing animosity towards Somali- and Muslim-American communities marked a regression to a more bigoted era in the United States.
    — Joseph Konig, PEOPLE, 26 June 2026
  • That means that, every once in a while, when someone is saying bigoted things or acting aggressively around other customers, they get kicked out.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 22 June 2026
Definition of bigoted
Adjective
  • The killing has drawn comparisons to other instances of other Black people who lost their life in cases of accusations of petty criminal offenses, such as the murder of George Floyd.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 1 July 2026
  • Some were petty — like Reese committing a foul against Clark, then jerking her head back, impersonating Clark as a flopper.
    — Candace Buckner, New York Times, 27 June 2026
Definition of petty
Adjective
  • Debbie Duncan, director of talent acquisition at Northwestern Mutual, says one of the biggest mistakes new graduates can make is being narrow-minded with their job search.
    — Courtney Connley-Hampton, Forbes.com, 19 May 2026
  • However, curiosity can interrupt that narrow-minded thinking, according to Maya Nehru, MA, LMFT, a psychotherapist offering services in anxiety and trauma in San Diego and Washington.
    — Jenna Ryu, SELF, 25 Mar. 2026
Definition of narrow-minded
Adjective
  • Once, in anthropology class, my professor lectured on an insular island tribe that cackled whenever someone got hurt.
    — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2026
  • Of course, Hollywood is always going to gravitate more toward America’s insular sporting worlds.
    — Jon O'Brien, Vulture, 26 June 2026
Definition of insular

Browse Nearby Words

smallish
small-minded
small-mindedness
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Cite this Entry

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

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