a closed mind

USAGE SUMMARY

"a closed mind" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who is unwilling to consider new or different ideas or opinions. For example: "He had a closed mind and refused to listen to any of the other arguments."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Simply put, we can choose to operate from a closed mind, closed heart, and closed will, or we can choose to operate from an open mind, open heart, and open will.

HuffPost

These are difficult goals in that barriers to mindfulness, including fatigue, dogmatism and a closed mind to ideas and feelings, are common in medical practice [ 28, 29].

Critical Care

I have a closed mind".

The New Yorker

It does not indicate a closed mind.

Harvard University

"Nor do we have a closed mind.

The New York Times

"You cannot have a closed mind or a closed outlook".

The New York Times

"Neither of them approaches anything he does with a closed mind.

The New Yorker

Mr. Rosenberg had a closed mind about Mr. Welser-Möst Welser-Möstied.

The New York Times - Arts

Ferguson's approach to radioactive waste management was characterised by a closed mind and a locked door.

The Guardian - Opinion

In education a safe space is the communal incarnation of a closed mind.

The Guardian

I guess Bayesian statistics provides a mathematical definition of a closed mind.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a closed mind", consider the specific nuance you want to convey. For instance, use it when someone refuses to consider new viewpoints, rather than simply disagreeing with them.

Common error

Avoid using "a closed mind" to describe someone who is simply firm in their beliefs. The phrase is best reserved for instances where there's an active unwillingness to consider alternative perspectives, not just a strong conviction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a closed mind" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It describes a state of unwillingness to consider new ideas or perspectives. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s used to characterize someone's approach to information or viewpoints.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Science

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a closed mind" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe someone unwilling to consider new ideas. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its primary function is to criticize a lack of open-mindedness. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media, followed by academic contexts. When using "a closed mind", it's essential to ensure you're accurately portraying a refusal to consider new perspectives, rather than simply describing a strong conviction. Alternatives like "narrow-mindedness" or "inflexibility" can offer nuanced variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

narrow-mindedness

Focuses on the limited scope of one's perspective.

inflexibility

Highlights the rigidity and unwillingness to adapt.

dogmatism

Emphasizes adherence to rigid beliefs without questioning.

prejudice

Indicates a preconceived judgment or bias.

intolerance

Stresses the unwillingness to accept differing views.

resistance to change

Highlights the opposition to new ideas or methods.

unreceptive

Emphasizes the lack of openness to new input.

set in one's ways

Focuses on the established habits and resistance to deviation.

hidebound

Implies being restricted by tradition or convention.

obstinacy

Highlights stubbornness and refusal to yield.

FAQs

How to use "a closed mind" in a sentence?

You can use "a closed mind" to describe someone unwilling to consider different ideas or opinions. For instance, "The debate was pointless because he approached the topic with a closed mind."

What can I say instead of "a closed mind"?

You can use alternatives like "narrow-mindedness", "inflexibility", or "dogmatism" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to say someone has "a closed mind"?

It's appropriate when someone actively refuses to consider alternative viewpoints or evidence, demonstrating an unwillingness to be open to new ideas. It suggests a lack of receptiveness rather than simply holding different beliefs.

What's the difference between "a closed mind" and "being skeptical"?

"A closed mind" implies a rejection of new ideas without consideration, while being skeptical involves critical evaluation and questioning before acceptance. Skepticism is about inquiry; a closed mind is about rejection.