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
Relevance
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
Corbett says that deputy gangs do not exist in the department, that in the past cliques and subgroups have existed, and that focus on the issue has eroded public trust and deputies’ morale.
—
Steve Scauzillo, Daily News, 29 May 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
Neither wants to navigate the cliques and social politics of this messy consolidated school.
—Literary Hub, 14 Apr. 2026
Instead, the researchers think the violence stemmed from a breakdown of friendships and escalations between cliques and rivals.
—Evan Bush, NBC news, 9 Apr. 2026
The dark comedy about teen suicide and social cliques was adapted into a musical by Laurence O’Keefe and Kevin Murphy and had an off-Broadway run in 2014.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 8 Apr. 2026
Their parties became notorious even in my own cliques; my parents knew to expect at least a few dozen teenagers crashing their party, sucking down all the noodles, and sneaking beers in the canyon down below.
—Natasha Pickowicz, Vogue, 20 Feb. 2026
This graph had no cliques — clusters of nodes that are all connected to one another.
—Leila Sloman, Quanta Magazine, 28 Jan. 2026
Steve Scauzillo, Daily News, 29 May 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
Neither wants to navigate the cliques and social politics of this messy consolidated school.
—Literary Hub, 14 Apr. 2026
Instead, the researchers think the violence stemmed from a breakdown of friendships and escalations between cliques and rivals.
—Evan Bush, NBC news, 9 Apr. 2026
The dark comedy about teen suicide and social cliques was adapted into a musical by Laurence O’Keefe and Kevin Murphy and had an off-Broadway run in 2014.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 8 Apr. 2026
Their parties became notorious even in my own cliques; my parents knew to expect at least a few dozen teenagers crashing their party, sucking down all the noodles, and sneaking beers in the canyon down below.
—Natasha Pickowicz, Vogue, 20 Feb. 2026
This graph had no cliques — clusters of nodes that are all connected to one another.
—Leila Sloman, Quanta Magazine, 28 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cliques
Noun
-
These networks are viewed with less enthusiasm in the age of streaming, because more consumers are abandoning their cable subscriptions in favor of streaming services.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
3 June 2026
-
Most existing and proposed projects are clustered around major metropolitan areas where fiber-optic networks, power infrastructure and workforce needs can be met.—
Brandi D. Addison,
USA Today,
3 June 2026
Noun
-
The initiative, called New York Kicks, is geared towards building fields in disadvantaged communities.—
Marcia Kramer,
CBS News,
4 June 2026
-
Sunrise hikes beside the statues, volcanic landscapes, local guides and museums bring Rapa Nui culture to life, while conservation programs protect the archaeological sites and local communities continue to preserve their traditions, language, music and dance.—
Hanna Wickes,
Charlotte Observer,
3 June 2026
Noun
-
Swayne, a native of Reno, was well known in local cycling circles.—
Daniel Hunt,
Sacbee.com,
29 May 2026
-
Pope Leo's statement is one of many debates being had in religious circles about the implications of AI and how parishioners should or should not engage with the rapidly growing technology.—
Greta Cross,
USA Today,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
On Sunday, crowds of people gathered to honor the victims of last year's attack on a march for Israeli hostages.—
Christa Swanson,
CBS News,
8 June 2026
-
From junior games on pitches every weekend, to crowds piling into pubs to watch England play the World Cup, football, as it is called outside of the United States, is deeply ingrained in the British national psyche.—
Sheena McKenzie,
CNN Money,
7 June 2026
Noun
-
Haiti remains in the grip of violent gangs despite recent gains in parts of Port-au-Prince.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
2 June 2026
-
On the other side, De la Espriella has promised to fiercely crack down on criminal groups and build 10 megaprisons, following in a similar vein as El Salvador’s president, Nayib Bukele, in his war on gangs, which has been beset by abuses, according to findings by human rights groups.—
Megan Janetsky,
Los Angeles Times,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
In the restaurant, there is no dedicated children’s menu but meal requests can be made, and there are coloring books and activity packs to keep little ones amused.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
Recalled two-packs have sell by dates of 2/3/2027, 2/4/2027, 2/24/2027, 2/25/2027, 3/10/2027, 3/11/2027, 3/18/2027 and 3/25/2027.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
31 May 2026
Noun
-
Publishers Coolabi Group and Chinese online giant Tencent Video have greenlit the series, adapted from Erin Hunter’s novels about battling clans of feral cats, which have sold more than 90 million copies worldwide.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
1 June 2026
-
Our story begins in the winter of that year, as Murashige — along with his wife Chiyoho (Yuriko Yoshitaka) and the small handful of clans loyal to their family — barricade themselves behind the peripets of Arioka Castle and wait for death to arrive at their doorstep.—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
20 May 2026
Noun
-
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
-
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 8 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
