narrow-minded
/'nærou'maindid/
Definition
- Adjective:
- Lacking tolerance or flexibility; having a limited perspective: Describes a person who is unwilling to accept or consider different ideas, opinions, or ways of living.
- Rigidly adhering to a particular set of beliefs: Describes a person who is dogmatic and inflexible in their doctrines or principles.
Usage
- The adjective "narrow-minded" is used to describe a person's character, attitude, or viewpoint. It is generally negative and critical.
- It can be used attributively (before a noun) or predicatively (after a linking verb like "be" or "seem").
Examples
- Attributive use (before a noun):
- His narrow-minded views on education prevented any meaningful reform.
- We need to challenge these narrow-minded policies.
- Predicative use (after a linking verb):
- She is so narrow-minded; she refuses to listen to any opposing arguments.
- Don't be narrow-minded about other cultures.
Advanced Usage
- "to be narrow-minded about something": To have a limited, intolerant view on a specific subject.
- He is surprisingly narrow-minded about modern art.
- Comparative and Superlative Forms: "more narrow-minded", "most narrow-minded". The hyphenated form is typically maintained in these constructions.
- Of all the committee members, she was the most narrow-minded.
Variants and Related Words
- Narrow-mindedness (noun): The quality or state of being narrow-minded.
- His narrow-mindedness was a major obstacle to progress.
- Broad-minded (adjective): The direct antonym, meaning tolerant and open to new ideas.
- We need a more broad-minded approach to solve this issue.
Synonyms
- Intolerant: Unwilling to accept views, beliefs, or behavior that differ from one's own.
- Dogmatic: Inclined to lay down principles as incontrovertibly true.
- Illiberal: Opposed to liberal principles; restricting freedom of thought or behavior.
- Parochial: Having a limited or narrow outlook or scope.
- Prejudiced: Having preconceived opinions that are not based on reason or actual experience.
Antonyms
- Open-minded: Willing to consider new ideas; unprejudiced.
- Tolerant: Showing willingness to allow the existence of opinions or behavior that one does not necessarily agree with.
- Liberal: Open to new behavior or opinions and willing to discard traditional values.
- Broad-minded: Tolerant or liberal in one's views and reactions.
Related Idioms and Phrases
- To have a closed mind: An idiom similar in meaning to being narrow-minded.
- You'll never learn anything new if you have such a closed mind.
- To be set in one's ways: To be fixed in one's habits and opinions, resistant to change (can imply narrow-mindedness).
- My grandfather is very set in his ways and doesn't like new technology.
Adjective
-
rigidly adhering to a particular sect or its doctrines
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lacking tolerance or flexibility or breadth of view
-
a brilliant but narrow-minded judge
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narrow opinions
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capable of being shocked
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