blinkered

American  

[bling-kerd] / ˈblɪŋ kərd /

adjective

1. narrow-minded and subjective; unwilling to understand another viewpoint.

   When in the Oval Office, Hoover was blinkered by his distrust of government.

2. having blinkers on; fitted with blinkers.

   a blinkered racehorse.

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blinkered British  

/ ˈblɪŋkəd /

adjective

1. considering only a narrow point of view

2. (of a horse) wearing blinkers

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Other Word Forms

• unblinkered adjective

Etymology

Origin of blinkered

First recorded in 1895–1900; blinker ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. )

Explanation

When someone is blinkered, they're narrow-minded, or have a limited understanding. Your brother is blinkered by his belief that only boys should belong to his secret club. The adjective blinkered describes anyone who lacks the ability to include different viewpoints and experiences in their own understanding of the world. Your might think your grandfather wouldn't make a good president because, despite being a nice guy, he's blinkered by his old-fashioned opinions. This figurative meaning comes from the blinkers or "blinders" worn by horses that force them to focus only on the path in front of them.

Example Sentences

Ms. MacDonald’s love for the company—the book ends with a ranking of her 50 favorite Nintendo games—can veer toward blinkered adoration.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 27, 2026

He said investigators must not be "blinkered" or put crimes into boxes while ignoring the overlap between some offences.

From BBC • Nov. 25, 2025

In many other cases, this view is blinkered, if not entirely false.

From Slate • Nov. 20, 2025

Sometimes, that celebration of energy can obfuscate the real artistic merits of a film, a director’s blinkered vision becoming a death knell.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 24, 2024

Finally, although he may be laughable—a blinkered pony—the boy will not let his critics forget their own change.

From "Hunger of Memory" by Richard Rodriguez