insular

adjective

in·​su·​lar ˈin(t)-su̇-lər How to pronounce insular (audio)
-syu̇-, 
ˈin-shə-lər
Synonyms of insular
1
: separated from other people or cultures
especially : not knowing or interested in new or different ideas
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
insularism
ˈin(t)-su̇-lə-ˌri-zəm How to pronounce insular (audio)
-syu̇-, 
ˈin-shə-lə-
noun
insularity
ˌin(t)-su̇-ˈler-ə-tē How to pronounce insular (audio)
-ˈla-rə- -syu̇-, 
ˌin-shə-ˈler-ə-, 
-ˈla-rə-
noun
insularly
ˈin(t)-su̇-lər-lē How to pronounce insular (audio)
-syu̇-, 
ˈin-shə-
adverb

Synonyms of insular

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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
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.
In an industry frequently critiqued for its insular nature and hyper-fixation on dizzying scale, a quiet movement is taking root—one built on the simple, radical premise that real innovation necessitates stepping outside the fashion bubble. — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026 Even once insular South Korea is welcoming more migrant workers to make up for its low birthrate. — Carl Minzner, Foreign Affairs, 5 Oct. 2026 That rarely happens with Idaho’s insular faith-healing communities. — Audrey Dutton, ProPublica, 1 Oct. 2026 Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother is designed as an action flick as well as a portrait of a family dealing with tragedy and an insider’s look at an insular community that mocks harmful stereotypes without perpetrating them. — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 28 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for insular

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin insularis, from Latin insula island

First Known Use

1611, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Time Traveler
The first known use of insular was in 1611

Rhymes for insular

See All Rhymes for insular

Browse Nearby Words

insulant
insular
Insular Celtic
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Insular.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/insular. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

insular

adjective
in·​su·​lar ˈin(t)s-(y)ə-lər How to pronounce insular (audio)
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
insularity
ˌin(t)s-(y)ə-ˈlar-ət-ē How to pronounce insular (audio)
ˌin-shə-ˈlar-
noun

Medical Definition

insular

adjective
in·​su·​lar -lər How to pronounce insular (audio)
: of or relating to an island of cells or tissue (as the islets of Langerhans or the insula)
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