insular

adjective

in·​su·​lar ˈin(t)-su̇-lər How to pronounce insular (audio)
-syu̇-,
ˈin-shə-lər
1
: characteristic of an isolated people
especially : being, having, or reflecting a narrow provincial viewpoint
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

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 Unsurprisingly, Biden’s aides reject the idea that the White House is insular or dismissive of reality. Evan Osnos, The New Yorker, 4 Mar. 2024 But 5 Seconds of Summer — the pop/rock band composed of Luke Hemmings, Michael Clifford, Ashton Irwin, and Calum Hood — are more insular, having collaborated with just a handful of artists in the past decade. Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 1 Mar. 2024 The company was still insular, blocking its tools from being used on other companies’ operating systems and computers. Gerrit De Vynck, Washington Post, 31 Jan. 2024 Space is vitally important to the world, but our industry can become somewhat insular at times. Shelli Brunswick, Forbes, 15 Feb. 2024 Karen Schupp, a former competitive dancer who is now an associate professor of dance at Arizona State University, said New York City Dance Alliance occupies a distinctive place in the historically insular and increasingly commercialized competition scene. Margaret Fuhrer, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2024 Jackson’s allegory is ingenious: The American racial drama has become one giant, insular soap opera. Thomas Chatterton Williams, The Atlantic, 9 Feb. 2024 There’s usually an insular element to the rapper’s kingdom; its internal workings are guarded until an alarm begins to sound, like when Minaj pushed back against the COVID-19 vaccine because of her cousin’s friend’s swollen testicles. Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 31 Jan. 2024 In a world in which the United States’ principal rivals—China and Russia—are led by personalistic autocrats operating within small and insular circles of advisers, gaining insight into leaders’ intentions is both more important and more difficult than ever. William J. Burns, Foreign Affairs, 30 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'insular.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near insular

Cite this Entry

“Insular.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/insular. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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 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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