CLIQUES Synonyms: 54 Similar and Opposite Words

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

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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 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 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, 6 June 2026 Tuchel does not want dressing-room cliques and has put a premium on having a unified group pulling in the same direction. — Dan Sheldon, New York Times, 23 May 2026 In this milieu, Hollywood A-listers like Will Ferrell and Sharon Stone, who occupy separate cliques nearby, pale in comparison to the mingling artistic luminaries. — Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cliques

Noun

In traditional payments, networks and processors monetize volume.

— Sean Lee, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
Chinese firm Huami explored a similar idea in early 2025, but its tracker still relied on telecom networks to send a dog’s location back to the owner’s phone.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 26 July 2026

Definition of networks

Noun

Cities breathe a little easier, celebrated museums and archaeological sites can be explored without long lines, local restaurants return to serving their own communities, and the pace becomes noticeably more relaxed.

— Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 24 July 2026
In mountain communities like Crestline, where bears regularly roam neighborhoods in search of food, encounters with people are not uncommon, though one wandering into an office building is considerably more unusual.

— Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 23 July 2026

Definition of communities

Noun

The Best Ways to Enjoy Potatoes Despite their benefits, these starchy vegetables have been denigrated in some nutrition circles because of associations with high-fat diets.

— Randi Gollin, Martha Stewart, 26 July 2026
However, since the left side took the brunt of the impact, specifically the steering system, Brett had to drive in clockwise circles the entire way back.

— Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 26 July 2026

Definition of circles

Noun

Fuping county, China — Soccer players in red jerseys jump up and down, spraying their cheering teammates with champagne, as confetti and streamers cascade around them and crowds capture the jubilation on their phones.

— Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 21 July 2026
Skip the afternoon farmers market crowds and arrive when vendors are just setting up.

— Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 20 July 2026

Definition of crowds

Noun

Cartels, smaller mafias and street gangs hold sway in town halls and state governments around the country and have deepened their role in the economy.

— Mary Beth Sheridan, CNN Money, 25 July 2026
Prosecutors argued the three women were killed in the crossfire of rival gangs’ gun battle in the middle of the bustling intersection as nightclubs closed early on April 3.

— Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 24 July 2026

Definition of gangs

Noun

By using hydrogen instead of large battery packs, developers hope to increase payload capacity, extend operational range, and shorten turnaround times between flights.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 24 July 2026
Some shoppers are looking for the lowest cost per serving, stretching their grocery dollars by purchasing larger family sizes or warehouse-club packs.

— Hank Cardello, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026

Definition of packs

Noun

The Richards family is one of America’s richest clans, thanks to its electrical manufacturing company Southwire.

— Simone Melvin, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026
Warrior Cats is based on Erin Hunter’s feline book series that follows the adventures and drama of multiple clans of feral cats.

— Max Goldbart, Deadline, 18 June 2026

Definition of clans

Noun

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
The Last Witch Hunter, about the one man who stands between humanity and the most horrible witch covens imaginable, grossed $130 million at the worldwide box office at the time of its initial theatrical release in 2015.

— Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 8 Sep. 2025

Definition of covens

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“Cliques.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cliques. Accessed 28 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of cliques

noun

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