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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Head to Amazon now to shop even more petite-friendly comfy pants, and keep scrolling to check out the rest of my favorite picks.—
Toni Sutton,
PEOPLE,
10 Jan. 2026
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Looking for more cold-weather-friendly sets?—
Olivia Young,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Friends and neighbors described the family as quiet and close-knit, and authorities have said there is no indication Loureiro anticipated any threat.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
26 Dec. 2025
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Christine Errigo, a neighbor, said the community is close-knit.—
Chandler Lutz,
CBS News,
11 Dec. 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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The knit top offered the familiar ease of an oversized tee with the warmth and polish of a sweater, a mix that feels both cozy and refined.—
Nicol Natale,
PEOPLE,
10 Jan. 2026
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Experts say some familiar nutrition advice remains, but the changes may raise questions and confusion.—
Sarah Garone,
Health,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Clannish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clannish. Accessed 14 Jan. 2026.
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