cliquish

as in clannish
bound together by feelings of very close association the cliquish White House press corps soon let him know that he was not on the A-list

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cliquish
Adjective
  • Jews, because human beings are and always will be clannish.
    David Bezmozgis, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2025
  • This sort of soft, clannish corruption is not a coat of paint that can be stripped from the protectionist architecture; the dysfunction infests the very foundations of it.
    David B. McGarry, Baltimore Sun, 30 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • From art and music at the museum to Oktoberfest beers and block parties, the calendar is stacked with events that range from family-friendly to nightlife-ready.
    Tiffani Jackson Skinner, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Sep. 2025
  • The bootcut bottoms come in a petite-friendly 27-inch inseam, which, according to the product’s description, fits those 5-foot-3 and under.
    Melony Forcier, Travel + Leisure, 5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • In this way, its role as a familiar calendar entity argues profoundly for itself, unsinkable and ever-long.
    Jordan Michelman, The Atlantic, 4 Sep. 2025
  • Now, the Dragons (1-0) will face a familiar foe in Hebron.
    Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Their neighborhood and school make up a small and close-knit community where people know each other.
    Shimon Prokupecz, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2025
  • His response was an indication that Mahomes and Jones are close-knit.
    Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Looking back at Charlotte’s recent FCS opponents, dating back to 2021, the 49ers haven’t won the turnover battle in any of the four matchups, resulting in uncomfortably close games and even a lopsided loss to William & Mary in 2022.
    Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 10 Sep. 2025
  • As Vevo’s Senior Manager of Talent Booking, Cynthia Todd emphasized the close partnership and trust that goes into making opportunities like these special performances come together in Live From Vevo Studios.
    Jeff Benjamin, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
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.

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“Cliquish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cliquish. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.

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