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

• parochialist noun
• parochialization noun

Etymology

Origin of parochialism

First recorded in 1840–50; parochial + -ism

Example Sentences

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

In domestic terms, Celtic are good enough to win a fourth title in a row just as they are, but parochialism is the enemy of progress.

From BBC • Aug. 2, 2024

“There is an explicit insularity and parochialism that now dictates debate.”

From New York Times • Sep. 23, 2021

But seeing Frank and his wife began to undermine my parochialism and loosen the hold of the tribalism that still imprisoned me.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela