Definition of tribalnext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 Then getting that energy to major cities means traversing some of the most pristine, spectacular natural corridors this nation has left, and particularly in the Southwest, rubbing up against the sacred lands of local tribal communities. — Sara Herschander, Vox, 22 Oct. 2026 One of its provisions would streamline Section 106 in similar ways — curtailing public and tribal input, narrowing the scope of analysis and restricting legal remedies for violations. — Rachel Treisman, NPR, 15 Oct. 2026 Stations with support from other sources, including the Bureau of Indian Affairs for tribal stations and the state of New Mexico for stations there, did not receive funding. — ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026 Farm to school programs exist in all 50 states, Washington, tribal communities and United States territories, according to the National Farm to School Network. — Lizzie Kane, Sacbee.com, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for tribal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tribal
Adjective
  • Additionally, ethnic and Indigenous minorities, such as the Roma people in Europe and the Uyghur people in China, are targets of the practice, as are people with disabilities and transgender and intersex persons.
    — Frannie Comstock, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Nine of the additional 12, however, are in Bosnia, a neighboring country slightly smaller than West Virginia, where ethnic Serbs have mostly supported Vucic and his party.
    — Branimir Pipal, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • In Britain, comedians including Gina Yashere, Mo Gilligan, Curtis Walker, and Dane Baptiste have been critical of Ali G’s reliance on racial stereotypes.
    — Maxwell Adler, Vanity Fair, 27 Oct. 2026
  • In the United States, cancer death rates have steadily declined among Black people but remain higher than in other racial and ethnic groups.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • Genocide is defined as attempting to partly or wholly destroy a national, ethnical, racial or religious group.
    — Ellie Cook Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
  • 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

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Cite this Entry

“Tribal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tribal. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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