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parochialism

American  
[puh-roh-kee-uh-liz-uhm] / pəˈroʊ ki əˌlɪz əm /

noun

  1. a parochial character, spirit, or tendency; excessive narrowness of interests or view; provincialism.


Other Word Forms


Etymology

Origin of parochialism

First recorded in 1840–50; parochial + -ism


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Speaking to the inquiry, Rowland's cousin Dr Andrea Hughes said there had been more than five decades of "ignorance, poor leadership, parochialism and arrogance" in relation to the investigation.

From BBC ● Jun. 11, 2026

And he makes a claim for the relevance of his project: “These poems rebut the parochialism and tribalism that dog our present, even as they appeal to universal experiences and values.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 19, 2025

Yet even in his parochialism, Jefferson's broad-mindedness remained apparent.

From Salon ● Oct. 11, 2024

Global warming is not unlike the “tragedy of the commons,” in which parochialism and self-interest undermine the common good.

From New York Times ● Dec. 31, 2021

The question embarrassed and sobered me; it made me realize my parochialism and just how unprepared I was for the task of serving my people.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela

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