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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Recent Examples of cliques
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
These internal cliques, or deputy gangs, which have been tied to specific LASD precincts, have names like the Banditos, the Grim Reapers, and the Regulators.
—Jesse Hyde, Rolling Stone, 21 Oct. 2025
At the Dallas Street property, small cliques of armed men, mostly Venezuelans and Mexicans, fought an ongoing turf war.
—Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
And there's hierarchy and cliques and clubs and all these different things.
—H. Alan Scott
jennifer Cunningham, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Aug. 2025
Even today, Heathers' spin on cliques, teen suicide, and homosexuality still has bite.
—Michelle Kung, EW.com, 18 Aug. 2025
The film, set at a suburban Chicago high school, stars Molly Ringwald, Emilio Estevez, Judd Nelson, Ally Sheedy and Anthony Michael Hall as five teenagers from vastly different cliques who spend a life-altering Saturday in detention.
—Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 16 Aug. 2025
Enid introduced Wednesday to the social scene at Nevermore — the four main cliques being Furs, Fangs, Stoners and Scales.
—Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 4 Aug. 2025
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
These internal cliques, or deputy gangs, which have been tied to specific LASD precincts, have names like the Banditos, the Grim Reapers, and the Regulators.
—Jesse Hyde, Rolling Stone, 21 Oct. 2025
At the Dallas Street property, small cliques of armed men, mostly Venezuelans and Mexicans, fought an ongoing turf war.
—Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
And there's hierarchy and cliques and clubs and all these different things.
—H. Alan Scott
jennifer Cunningham, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Aug. 2025
Even today, Heathers' spin on cliques, teen suicide, and homosexuality still has bite.
—Michelle Kung, EW.com, 18 Aug. 2025
The film, set at a suburban Chicago high school, stars Molly Ringwald, Emilio Estevez, Judd Nelson, Ally Sheedy and Anthony Michael Hall as five teenagers from vastly different cliques who spend a life-altering Saturday in detention.
—Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 16 Aug. 2025
Enid introduced Wednesday to the social scene at Nevermore — the four main cliques being Furs, Fangs, Stoners and Scales.
—Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 4 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cliques
Noun
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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
-
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
-
Beijing is well aware of how US pressure could make governments become more wary of working with Chinese firms or re-evaluate existing ties, analysts in its policy circles say – something that’s already happened in Panama.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Cannon-Grant was well-known in activist circles in Boston, earning numerous awards, including Boston Globe Magazine’s Bostonian of the Year award and a Boston Celtics Heroes Among Us award, both in 2020 amid nationwide protests following the killing of George Floyd.—
Louis Casiano,
FOXNews.com,
30 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
-
After an initial slow start with its explosive drone operations in March of last year, Vectus Global began stepping up, achieving success with a police raid to take back a key telecommunications tower in September from gangs in the hills above Port-au-Prince.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
27 Jan. 2026
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Bandit gangs control entire districts, extorting protection money from communities in cash or kind, killing those that resist.—
Obi Anyadike,
semafor.com,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Prosecutors allege the defendants sold meal packs intended for vulnerable families overseas and exchanged millions in benefits for cash.—
Jennifer Nassour,
Boston Herald,
27 Jan. 2026
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Wolf packs go out of their way to avoid meeting not only people but wolves from other packs, too.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
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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
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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
Noun
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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
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By then the witchy girl was everywhere, forming outcast covens in The Craft, fighting supernatural baddies in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Charmed, all grown up and empowered to destroy abusive boyfriends in Practical Magic.—
Judy Berman,
TIME,
10 Oct. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Cliques.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cliques. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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