NARROW-MINDED Synonyms: 65 Similar and Opposite Words

narrow-minded

adjective

ˈner-(ˌ)ō-ˈmīn-dəd

Definition of narrow-minded

as in narrow

unwilling to grant other people social rights or to accept other viewpoints it took a while for some of the more narrow-minded members of management to be persuaded to modernize the dress code

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in parochial

not broad or open in views or opinions narrow-minded people who instinctively feared and shunned those from different cultures

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 narrow-minded This wicker man becomes a devoted partner, sparking jealousy and malice in her narrow-minded neighbors, exploring themes of love, cruelty, and societal conformity. — Matt Donnelly, Variety, 23 Jan. 2026 However, such an observation is short-sighted and narrow-minded. — Torrey Snow, Baltimore Sun, 14 Jan. 2026 Anyone proposing to offer a master class on changing the world for the better, without becoming negative, cynical, angry or narrow-minded in the process, could model their advice on the life and work of pioneering animal behavior scholar Jane Goodall. — Preston Fore, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2025 Knowledge-wise, science may be advancing, but, politically, its powers of persuasion are in retreat, in a moment defined, in many ways, by ignorance and narrow-minded grievance. — Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for narrow-minded

Recent Examples of Synonyms for narrow-minded

Adjective

The decision to set that tone staggering through all 10 minutes of the extended cut might scan as raw inspiration, placing Spacemen 3 on a narrow band from La Monte Young and Terry Riley to some brilliant dro)))ne future.

— Gabriel Szatan, Pitchfork, 18 Oct. 2026
Recent polls have shown Jackson holding only a narrow lead over Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms.

— DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE STAFF FROM WIRE REPORTS, Arkansas Online, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of narrow

Adjective

For Bourne, newspapers, besides giving information, encourage an acceptance of non-parochial views.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2026
Our small island has arguably contributed more in terms of popular music than any other nation, but British driving songs are unavoidably parochial.

— Jason Barlow, Robb Report, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of parochial

Adjective

The killing, often deliberate, of more than twenty thousand children in Gaza injured consciences, not purses, and consciences could be managed with some ritual censuring of Benjamin Netanyahu or his proudly bigoted colleagues.

— J. B. MacKinnon, Harpers Magazine, 22 Sep. 2026
Over the five hours that follow, the series tracks what led to the tragedy — specifically, his complicated relationship with his resentful, bigoted next-door neighbor, Clive (David Morrissey).

— David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of bigoted

Adjective

Comparing households aged 72 and older in 2022 with those aged 75 and older in 2025, Maggiulli calculated a smaller—but still substantial—21% increase.

— Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026
The development could help make optical atomic clocks smaller and more suitable for use outside laboratories.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of small

Adjective

The provincial government said a committee had been formed to investigate the cause of the roof collapse of the three-story building.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Oct. 2026
In total, the deal will inject nearly 125 megawatts of extra clean electricity into the provincial grid.

— Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of provincial

Adjective

Blacks in the South were routinely imprisoned on petty or trumped-up charges, then leased out to landowners, mining companies, railroads and factories as unpaid labor.

— Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Oct. 2026
Meanwhile, out on the streets, young con artist Thomas Shepherd (Ruaridh Mollica) and pickpocket Lisa Molinari (Lauren Morais) are running petty scams.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of petty

Adjective

Law student Gemma Jay (Abbie Hern), recruited by the nonsense-intolerant Coach Alice Chilton (Tanya Reynolds), also joins the squad.

— Erin Jensen, USA Today, 19 Aug. 2026
The association naturally angered the intolerant left, including one X user whose response has since gone viral.

— Bobby Burack OutKick, FOXNews.com, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of intolerant

Adjective

The yearslong feud offers a rare window into the insular world of top-tier science labs, where directors wield outsized authority.

— Chris Serres — Boston Globe, STAT, 16 Oct. 2026
Amid geopolitical uncertainty and the AI boom, executive leadership has had to become a much less insular affair.

— Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of insular

Browse Nearby Words

narrowly

narrow-minded

narrow-mindedness

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“Narrow-minded.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/narrow-minded. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of narrow-minded

adjective

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