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

The demonstrations will give regulators and transportation officials an opportunity to assess how electric aircraft could fit into existing airport operations and future regional transport networks.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 31 Oct. 2026
Aiming to be more affordable than other citywide leadership networks, some of which charge thousands of dollars, Doughty said the accepted women will pay an annual $975 membership fee.

— Jane Miller, Chicago Tribune, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of networks

Noun

Their demands would likely include a government decision and a plan to combat crime in Arab communities, as well as a new socioeconomic development plan for the Arab sector involving budget allocations.

— Amelie Botbol, FOXNews.com, 29 Oct. 2026
Bowles said the messages generated approximately 60 incident reports, numerous emails and expressions of alarm from student organizations representing Black, Jewish and other minority communities.

— Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of communities

Noun

The two master watchmakers are widely regarded in horological circles as the crème de la crème, having honed their expertise at Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, Gérald Genta, and Franck Muller, between them.

— Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 1 Nov. 2026
The plan reflects growing recognition within defense planning circles that a future conflict could affect not only battlefields overseas but also the infrastructure and industrial networks supporting military operations at home.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of circles

Noun

In his view, the peaceful crowds that greeted Machado on Sunday undermined arguments that her return would necessarily provoke unrest.

— Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 26 Oct. 2026
Following Jonas’s post, crowds at Whiskey Myers concerts have skewed younger.

— Josh Crutchmer, Rolling Stone, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of crowds

Noun

Haitian police officers have complained that the foreign soldiers are reluctant to confront gangs or hold territory taken back from gangs.

— Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 30 Oct. 2026
His government’s own hardline crackdown on gangs back home did restore peace to what was once the most violent country in the Western Hemisphere — though critics highlight his use of mass incarceration and accusations of widespread abuses.

— CNN Money, CNN Money, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of gangs

Noun

Gallery-goers are perhaps more accustomed to seeing paintings of private menageries or packs of hunting hounds—both status symbols for the nobility—but there was also a trend for portraits of large groups of little dogs.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2026
The company will also add Mōmi’s assortment of baby bottles and pacifiers to its website, with pacifiers priced around $14 each and two-packs of Mōmi’s 5-ounce bottles in both glass and plastic around $28.

— Noor Lobad, Footwear News, 27 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

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 3 Nov. 2026.

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noun

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