1
as in communities
a group of people sharing a common interest and relating together socially
that clan of football fans has parties every weekend on which the New England Patriots play
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in tribes
a group of persons who come from the same ancestor
the whole clan gets together only for holidays
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of clans
For example, Crow people have held onto their nation's language; neighbors are often family, or considered such; and many tribal members rely on their clans to mentor children, who eventually become mentors themselves for the next generation.
—
Katheryn Houghton, NPR, 8 Jan. 2026
But when Klaus’ toys begin to cheer up the children of Smeerensburg — a town whose inhabitants are perpetually engaged in a feud between two familial clans — Jesper and Klaus must step out of their comfort zones to help save the town from itself.
—Andrew Walsh, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Dec. 2025
Established in 1993, PFV offered the most revered clans in the industry the opportunity to exchange information and insights with the goal of safeguarding their heritage.
—Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 27 Dec. 2025
Plaids and checks belonging to the Campbell, MacKenzie, and Douglass clans popped up in coats, gowns, and children’s garments while tartan became a mainstay of British and American interiors.
—Cornelia Powers, Vogue, 10 Dec. 2025
The Toupouri fled to the Tekem mountains in Chad, where each of its twelve summits was settled by one of the Toupouri clans—a perfect match as the refugees happened to have exactly twelve clans.
—Literary Hub, 5 Dec. 2025
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged in June that Israel had armed anti-Hamas clans, though Israel has announced few other details of the policy since then.
—Reuters, NBC news, 4 Dec. 2025
And our definition of social media was to converse about the over-the-top shenanigans of the fictional Ewing, Channing and Carrington clans at the proverbial office watercooler.
—Marc Berman, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2024
In 2020, the California Fish and Game Commission made six lion clans a candidate for protection under the state Endangered Species Act, and are expected to decide whether to permanently list them next year.
—Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 12 Dec. 2024
Katheryn Houghton, NPR, 8 Jan. 2026
But when Klaus’ toys begin to cheer up the children of Smeerensburg — a town whose inhabitants are perpetually engaged in a feud between two familial clans — Jesper and Klaus must step out of their comfort zones to help save the town from itself.
—Andrew Walsh, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Dec. 2025
Established in 1993, PFV offered the most revered clans in the industry the opportunity to exchange information and insights with the goal of safeguarding their heritage.
—Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 27 Dec. 2025
Plaids and checks belonging to the Campbell, MacKenzie, and Douglass clans popped up in coats, gowns, and children’s garments while tartan became a mainstay of British and American interiors.
—Cornelia Powers, Vogue, 10 Dec. 2025
The Toupouri fled to the Tekem mountains in Chad, where each of its twelve summits was settled by one of the Toupouri clans—a perfect match as the refugees happened to have exactly twelve clans.
—Literary Hub, 5 Dec. 2025
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged in June that Israel had armed anti-Hamas clans, though Israel has announced few other details of the policy since then.
—Reuters, NBC news, 4 Dec. 2025
And our definition of social media was to converse about the over-the-top shenanigans of the fictional Ewing, Channing and Carrington clans at the proverbial office watercooler.
—Marc Berman, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2024
In 2020, the California Fish and Game Commission made six lion clans a candidate for protection under the state Endangered Species Act, and are expected to decide whether to permanently list them next year.
—Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 12 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clans
Noun
-
When communities need rapid response after natural disasters or public health emergencies, nonprofits are often the first on the ground.—
Cat Ward,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
The Princess of Wales spent time with communities and organizations to highlight how community, nature and creativity can help those struggling with trauma, isolation and mental health challenges.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
McGuire’s goal here is entertainment (achieved) but his empathetic treatment of the indigenous tribes the English come into contact and conflict with gives his novel a mournful air of tragedy.—
Chloe Schama,
Vogue,
24 Jan. 2026
-
The Colorado River provides water for cities from Denver to Los Angeles, 30 Native tribes and farming communities from the Rocky Mountains to northern Mexico.—
Ian James,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Those businesses, in turn, wire millions through financial networks in the United States and abroad to cartels in Mexico, Colombia and other countries, authorities say.—
Jay Weaver,
Miami Herald,
28 Jan. 2026
-
For professionals trying to build authority, the verification offers networks and employers greater confidence in their work.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Hundreds of volunteers have packed and delivered grocery boxes to families too afraid to leave their homes.—
Dev Patnaik,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
HexClad has already contributed directly to recovery efforts, donating cookware to families who lost their homes and helping provide tens of thousands of meals through community partnerships.—
Michelle Edgar,
Daily News,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
This graph had no cliques — clusters of nodes that are all connected to one another.—
Leila Sloman,
Quanta Magazine,
28 Jan. 2026
-
What began as a search for community and understanding turned into an experience that felt akin to the cliques and social hierarchies of high school.—
Hannah Nwoko,
Parents,
25 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
DiDonato has appeared on catwalks for major fashion houses and has featured in publications such as Vogue, Elle and Harper’s Bazaar.—
Jennifer Weil,
Footwear News,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Events across the region are taking place all day at schools, local businesses, houses of worship and burned down local landmarks in various stages of rebuilding.—
David Wilson,
Daily News,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
For now, Telluride is open, the snow is skiing well, and crowds are thin.—
Spencer Wilson,
CBS News,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Noise and crowds were replaced by the sounds of lapping waves and seagull cries.—
Bailey Bujnosek,
InStyle,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Curtailing the institutional influence of faculty may be popular in some political circles, but taking away the vote of students on university governing or coordinating boards is another matter.—
Michael T. Nietzel,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
-
That comfort becomes the foundation for parent friendships and small social circles that can grow organically.—
Akilah Siti Easter,
Parents,
23 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Clans.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clans. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
