insular
adjective
in·su·lar
ˈin(t)-su̇-lər 
-syu̇-,
ˈin-shə-lər
1
: characteristic of an isolated people
especially
: being, having, or reflecting a narrow provincial viewpoint
2
a
: of, relating to, or constituting an island
b
: dwelling or situated on an island
insular residents
3
: of or relating to an island of cells or tissue
Synonyms
Examples of insular in a Sentence
the insular world of boarding schools
an insular community that is not receptive of new ideas, especially from outsiders
Recent Examples on the Web
The fun in 1984 of a fish-out-of-water Black cop getting endless amusement from uptight bougie white folks in a city that reeks of insular wealth and entitlement just seems old hat now.
—
David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 2 July 2024
If a majority of Iranians skip the ballot, proponents of the state’s most insular and retrograde tendencies will continue their reign unabated.
—Jason Rezaian, Washington Post, 27 June 2024
Such stories offered the voyeuristic pleasure of entering insular worlds, encountering their often mystifying behavioral codes and meeting the eccentrics who populated them.
—The New Yorker, 26 June 2024
Allegations of abuse that have been insular for so long are now coming to light.
—Lauren Lantry, ABC News, 14 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for insular 
David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 2 July 2024
If a majority of Iranians skip the ballot, proponents of the state’s most insular and retrograde tendencies will continue their reign unabated.
—Jason Rezaian, Washington Post, 27 June 2024
Such stories offered the voyeuristic pleasure of entering insular worlds, encountering their often mystifying behavioral codes and meeting the eccentrics who populated them.
—The New Yorker, 26 June 2024
Allegations of abuse that have been insular for so long are now coming to light.
—Lauren Lantry, ABC News, 14 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for insular
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'insular.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near insular
Cite this Entry
“Insular.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/insular. Accessed 15 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
insular
adjective
in·su·lar
ˈin(t)s-(y)ə-lər
ˈin-shə-lər
1
: of, relating to, or forming an island
2
: being isolated or detached
an insular building
3
: not open to new or different ideas : narrow
an insular viewpoint
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