cliques

noun

plural of clique
as in networks
a group of people sharing a common interest and relating together socially that clique refuses to even talk to outsiders at their lunch table

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 cliques So the players will get a day off to cool down but have to spend the night at the pub quiz in teams of Ted’s choosing, never mind the cliques. — Keith Phipps, Vulture, 26 Aug. 2026 Amid the crushes, cliques, and teenage angst, two sisters set out to define themselves on their own terms. — Denise Petski, Deadline, 17 Aug. 2026 In a number of sensitive sectors, such as telecommunications, EVs, and drones, such cliques have already formed, setting bans and restrictions on the use of equipment from Chinese telecommunications companies Huawei and ZTE. — Michael B. G. Froman, Foreign Affairs, 13 Aug. 2026 That era involved small cliques of devs talking a big game about decentralization (which often provided a pretext for no accountability) while shilling tokens at all turns. — Jeff John Roberts, Fortune, 20 July 2026 Since its inception, social media has been a proving ground for tween fashion and identity, offering under-16s a digital canvas to experiment with their style and form online cliques around niche interests. — Sophie Lou Wilson, Vogue, 2 July 2026 Ramsey numbers for same-size red and blue cliques are called diagonal Ramsey numbers. — Leila Sloman, Quanta Magazine, 26 June 2026 Under Meza, player cliques developed, stars were pampered, discipline waned. — Scott M. Reid, Oc Register, 10 June 2026 Prosecutors said the killings were tied to Mara Salvatrucha, or MS-13, a transnational gang that maintains a presence in Los Angeles through smaller groups, or cliques, including in the San Fernando Valley and around MacArthur Park. — Sydney Barragan, Daily News, 6 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cliques
  1. networks
  2. communities
  3. circles
  4. crowds
  5. gangs
  6. packs
  7. clans
  8. covens
Noun
  • Recent Russian targets have included energy systems, key industries, railways, post offices, shopping centers, telecom networks, gas stations and grain exports.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Both institutions have reaffirmed their commitment to advancing fashion education and industry development, while fostering stronger connections between academic institutions, the fashion industry, and international networks.
    — Andrea Onate, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of networks
Noun
  • Like every Lucy project, there are also swing-for-the-fences samples, of the kinds of old, viral songs that create communities of nostalgic yearners in their YouTube comments.
    — H.D. Angel, Pitchfork, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Working with creators, brands and communities to develop new experiences, sponsorships and brand partnerships.
    — Jennifer Maas, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of communities
Noun
  • The American Medical Association recommends chin tucks, gentle neck rotations and half-neck circles during the day.
    — Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Photos of him at campus barbecues or strolling the neighborhood proliferate student social media circles.
    — Sophia Solano, Washington Post, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of circles
Noun
  • One year after its opening, The Louis, its Shanghai megastore shaped like a cruise ship, continues to draw crowds.
    — Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Trump has largely steered clear of political battlegrounds in his travels so far, focusing on red states and friendly crowds at a moment when Republicans worry that his unpopularity could drag down the party.
    — Sagar Meghani, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of crowds
Noun
  • In its examination of Haiti’s deepening crisis, the panel detailed how influential figures in Haitian society continue to support armed gangs.
    — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 9 Oct. 2026
  • There were thousands of empty houses in London and the councils actually employed gangs to come in and smash up these lovely Victorian houses, remove floorboards, rip out wiring [and] destroy the plumbing so squatters couldn’t live in them.
    — SPIN Staff, SPIN, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of gangs
Noun
  • Bottles and packs of Pepsi soda at a store in Austin, Texas, US, on Tuesday, July 7, 2026.
    — Amelia Lucas, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Amazon Prime Day Deals Fire HD 8 The Amazon Fire HD 8 Android tablet packs reliable performance into a compact, lightweight 8-inch design that is perfect for traveling, reading, and watching movies on the go.
    — Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of packs
Noun
  • Ali Mahmoud Ali, the group's Sudan analyst, said that the latest clashes risk bringing in more Nuba clans into the fight and could increase divisions across South Kordofan, where communities are facing an already dire humanitarian situation.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 4 Sep. 2026
  • All Palestinian clans and families in Gaza would also be a target for disarmament, which would have an impact on the future of Hamas and Palestinian armed struggle.
    — Mkhaimar Abusada, The Conversation, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of clans
Noun
  • As in the original, hatchets must be buried and covens assembled to answer these questions.
    — Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Season 2 sees Louis and Claudia in Europe — just in time for World War II — and both novel and show expand outward to include things like vampire covens and AMC tie-in series to the further reaches of Rice’s lore.
    — Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 6 June 2026
Definition of covens

Browse Nearby Words

clique
cliques
cliquey
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Cite this Entry

“Cliques.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cliques. Accessed 13 Oct. 2026.

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