as in cliquish
bound together by feelings of very close association
a clannish family that can be rather cool to outsiders
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Recent Examples of clannish
This sort of soft, clannish corruption is not a coat of paint that can be stripped from the protectionist architecture; the dysfunction infests the very foundations of it.
—
David B. McGarry, Baltimore Sun, 30 Mar. 2025
Ambassadorships are often awarded to loyalists and supporters, but this appointment looks particularly clannish.
—Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 22 Jan. 2025
The model relies on a dramatic shift in relations among officers and prisoners, two historically warring factions in a system built on clannish gamesmanship for survival.
—Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 29 July 2024
The most successful of those managers have carved out a niche catering to the valley’s famously clannish billionaire elites.
—James McClain, Robb Report, 6 Dec. 2023
See All Example Sentences for clannish
David B. McGarry, Baltimore Sun, 30 Mar. 2025
Ambassadorships are often awarded to loyalists and supporters, but this appointment looks particularly clannish.
—Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 22 Jan. 2025
The model relies on a dramatic shift in relations among officers and prisoners, two historically warring factions in a system built on clannish gamesmanship for survival.
—Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 29 July 2024
The most successful of those managers have carved out a niche catering to the valley’s famously clannish billionaire elites.
—James McClain, Robb Report, 6 Dec. 2023
See All Example Sentences for clannish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clannish
Adjective
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As a 5-footer, my favorite part is that the pants are available in a petite-friendly inseam, along with four other inseam options, limiting the need for alterations.—
Melony Forcier,
PEOPLE,
15 Apr. 2026
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The Harlem Wizards are a high-energy basketball team known for combining athleticism, comedy, and crowd engagement in an entertaining, family-friendly game.—
Stephanie Ogilvie,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Local neighborhoods are so close-knit that everyone knows each other, said Allison Buell, a teacher and coach in Hammond.—
Robert McCoppin,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Apr. 2026
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Leading this loud and lovingly close-knit multigenerational family is Suga Mama (Jo Marie Payton), the feisty grandma and matriarch.—
Lynnette Nicholas,
Parents,
6 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The Friends set was notorious for being cliquey and insular.—
Shamira Ibrahim,
Vulture,
19 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Fresh off the global success of KPop Demon Hunters, the film’s vocal stars are bringing their fandom full circle with a new collaboration that turns a familiar fast-food run into an immersive experience.—
Moná Thomas,
PEOPLE,
10 Apr. 2026
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The arguments in Madigan’s case had a familiar ring in a state where the line between legal politics and bribery has always seemed a blurry one.—
Jason Meisner,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Clannish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clannish. Accessed 16 Apr. 2026.
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