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 Otherwise, though, the series is fairly loose, allowing the contestants a lot of time to swan around the villa and divide into a collection of cliques. — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 28 Oct. 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

Noun

This separates two wiring networks that traditionally competed for space above the transistors.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 7 Nov. 2026
Versant has articulated a strategy of getting half of its revenue from digital and direct-to-consumer businesses so as to reduce its dependency on the traditional cable networks at the core of its operations.

— Brian Steinberg, Variety, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of networks

Noun

Following a community meeting attended by more than 200 Laramie County residents, Google and its partners are establishing a Community Council to address concerns about the effects of data center expansion on Cheyenne and surrounding communities.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 6 Nov. 2026
Support extends to local communities through partnerships with One Horizon, a non-profit focused on poverty alleviation and women's empowerment, and the historic Nondies Rugby Club, Kenya's oldest rugby team.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of communities

Noun

The company's platform enables hosts of gatherings across the country, from mom groups to run clubs to literary circles, to create a profile including details about how often events happen and how many people tend to show up.

— Gili Malinsky, CNBC, 8 Nov. 2026
The president and his allies, many of whom hail from Silicon Valley’s tech circles, have insisted that legislation will stifle America’s economy and the AI industry.

— Jared Perlo, NBC news, 8 Nov. 2026

Definition of circles

Noun

Back as usual are crowd-pleasing events like the competitive Burger Bash, Guy Fieri’s Tournament of Champions and the Grand Tasting Village, which draw big crowds and big appetites.

— Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 2 Nov. 2026
After scaling the route’s opening gambit—the four-mile-long Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, with a two-mile, 174-foot elevation gain, the race’s highest climb—the infamous crowds that line the route started to materialize.

— Max Berlinger, Vogue, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of crowds

Noun

The letter was shared as Haitian police and foreign forces continue to battle gangs, with Haitian Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé announcing on X late Friday that one gang leader was killed.

— ABC News, ABC News, 6 Nov. 2026
More problematic is the long history of alleged involvement of deputy gangs in violence, intimidation and other potentially criminal behavior.

— Connor Sheets, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of gangs

Noun

As the two clans battle it out on the field, regardless of who takes home the trophy Lexi may have already won at love.

— Rachel LaBonte, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Oct. 2026
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

Definition of clans

Noun

Many Orlando-area homes feature skeletons that tower over the neighborhood, witchy covens, horror movie icons, clowns, pirate ships, pumpkins, zombies and vampires.

— Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026
As in the original, hatchets must be buried and covens assembled to answer these questions.

— Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of covens

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clique

cliques

cliquey

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“Cliques.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cliques. Accessed 10 Nov. 2026.

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noun

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