insular

adjective
in·​su·​lar | \ ˈin(t)-su̇-lər How to pronounce insular (audio) , -syu̇-, ˈin-shə-lər\

Definition of insular

1a : of, relating to, or constituting an island
b : dwelling or situated on an island insular residents
2 : characteristic of an isolated people especially : being, having, or reflecting a narrow provincial viewpoint
3 : of or relating to an island of cells or tissue

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Other Words from insular

insularism \ ˈin(t)-​su̇-​lə-​ˌri-​zəm How to pronounce insularism (audio) , -​syu̇-​ , ˈin-​shə-​lə-​ \ noun
insularity \ ˌin(t)-​su̇-​ˈler-​ə-​tē How to pronounce insularity (audio) , -​ˈla-​rə-​ -​syu̇-​ , ˌin-​shə-​ˈler-​ə-​ , -​ˈla-​rə-​ \ noun
insularly \ ˈin(t)-​su̇-​lər-​lē How to pronounce insularly (audio) , -​syu̇-​ , ˈin-​shə-​ \ adverb

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

There was purpose to the music and the gathering, along with the urgent sense that, outside of our insular suburban worlds, there was a greater cause than our own. Shirley Halperin, chicagotribune.com, "Commentary: Put a fork in Woodstock 50, please," 27 July 2019 Northern Nigerian culture remains largely insular in its outlook, and prides itself in preserving a traditional perception of gender roles and norms. Fakhrriyyah Hashim, Quartz Africa, "How Nigeria’s conservative northern region came to terms with its MeToo movement," 22 July 2019 If anything, their affinity for building insular worlds might have hindered their understanding of how the tools would actually function. Zeynep Tufekci, Scientific American, "Should Kids Learn to Code?," 7 Aug. 2019 The notable thing about this shift is that Huawei and Xiaomi have long been among the leaders of China’s phone market, which has typically been insular, dominated by devices that don’t make the transition overseas. Vlad Savov, The Verge, "Despite being shunned in America, Huawei is flourishing in Europe," 22 Aug. 2018 How can a small group of people, any people, decide the best in literature when such a standard is at best subjective and far more often, reactionary, insular? David L. Ulin, latimes.com, "There will be no Nobel Prize in literature this year. And that's a shame.," 11 May 2018 The North Korean nuclear arsenal is Pyongyang’s guarantee that Kim can maintain his insular, repressive regime under the control of his family. Trudy Rubin, The Mercury News, "Rubin: Trump’s meeting with Kim Jong Un isn’t producing results," 8 July 2019 The rancor and the polarization of politics in Peru can seem, from this perspective, insular, a neighborhood squabble, even, no matter what the actual stakes might be. Daniel Alarcón, The New Yorker, "What Led Peru’s Former President to Take His Own Life?," 1 July 2019 Is the dream of a better world achieved through insular, and cautious self-preservation? Richard Newby, The Hollywood Reporter, "The Quiet Strengths of 'Dark Phoenix'," 8 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'insular.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of insular

1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

History and Etymology for insular

Late Latin insularis, from Latin insula island

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More Definitions for insular

insular

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of insular

: separated from other people or cultures : not knowing or interested in new or different ideas

insular

adjective
in·​su·​lar | \ -lər How to pronounce insular (audio) \

Medical Definition of insular

: of or relating to an island of cells or tissue (as the islets of Langerhans or the insula)

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