clique

noun

Synonyms of cliquenext
: a narrow exclusive circle or group of persons
especially : one held together by common interests, views, or purposes
high school cliques
cliquey adjective
cliquish adjective
cliquishly adverb
cliquishness noun

Examples of clique in a Sentence

that clique refuses to even talk to outsiders at their lunch table
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Prosecutors have accused Olivar of being a shotcaller of an MS-13 clique, which Sedlander said his client denies. Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2026 One third of power clique Griselda, the Buffalo, New York rapper, as a solo artist, has some of the best chops in the game. Deborah Sengupta Stith, Austin American Statesman, 17 Mar. 2026 Among the latter’s clique is secretly nerdy blonde Lizzie (Lulu Wilson), who used to hang out with Jack and Montgomery, before proving pretty and canny enough to switch allegiances. Guy Lodge, Variety, 14 Mar. 2026 In the post-colonial era, Arab dictators established secular laws, but these legal systems favored the ruling clique. Anand Gopal, New Yorker, 28 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for clique

Word History

Etymology

French

First Known Use

1711, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of clique was in 1711

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Clique.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clique. Accessed 30 Mar. 2026.

Kids Definition

clique

noun
: a small group of people who spend time together and are not friendly to other people
cliquey
ˈklē-kē How to pronounce clique (audio)
ˈkli-
adjective

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