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
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
There are a broad spectrum of other possible explanations for the disparate outcomes Boegeman cites, including religious differences, geographic differences, even — gasp — the clannish propensity of ethnic groups to band together and create — or retain — their unique cultural traditions.
—Star Tribune, 19 July 2021
The Trumps are nothing if not clannish.
—Hari Kunzru, The New York Review of Books, 2 July 2020
In Afghanistan, legitimate authority has traditionally been highly localized, a product of consensus rather than brute force, and firmly anchored in tribal, clannish, and kinship structures.
—Jonah Blank, Foreign Affairs, 19 Aug. 2011
See All Example Sentences for clannish
James McClain, Robb Report, 6 Dec. 2023
There are a broad spectrum of other possible explanations for the disparate outcomes Boegeman cites, including religious differences, geographic differences, even — gasp — the clannish propensity of ethnic groups to band together and create — or retain — their unique cultural traditions.
—Star Tribune, 19 July 2021
The Trumps are nothing if not clannish.
—Hari Kunzru, The New York Review of Books, 2 July 2020
In Afghanistan, legitimate authority has traditionally been highly localized, a product of consensus rather than brute force, and firmly anchored in tribal, clannish, and kinship structures.
—Jonah Blank, Foreign Affairs, 19 Aug. 2011
See All Example Sentences for clannish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clannish
Adjective
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The area also features a red mini fridge for easy access to snacks and drinks, and a custom bath with kid-friendly touches, like step-stools to reach the trough sink, alphabet artwork, and a large jar full of bath toys.—
Lennie Omalza,
Louisville Courier Journal,
2 Oct. 2025
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The most-balanced wide receiver prospect in America, Tyson is a terrific blocker with QB-friendly tendencies and the size to play anywhere.—
Nick Baumgardner,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The way the members of Seventeen are so close-knit and truly like brothers is something their fans, known as Carats, adore.—
Kristine Kwak,
Rolling Stone,
29 Sep. 2025
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Their neighborhood and school make up a small and close-knit community where people know each other.—
Shimon Prokupecz,
CNN Money,
29 Aug. 2025
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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Spooky season is officially in full swing and Nashville's nightlife scene is getting a haunted makeover with Halloween pop-up bars transforming familiar haunts into eerie, immersive experiences.—
Mackensy Lunsford,
Nashville Tennessean,
2 Oct. 2025
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For those who aren’t familiar, RedZone is the NFL broadcast that whisks viewers around the league to the best moments of every game on Sundays.—
Charlotte Wilder,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Clannish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clannish. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
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