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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cliquish
Adjective
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The flood of immigrants who settled in the area were a motley crew – clannish Scandinavians, Germans, Irish Catholics escaping famine, Yankees from New England, Black refugees from the segregated South, Mexican workers seeking a better life.—
Harry Boyte,
Twin Cities,
8 Feb. 2026 -
Musk’s companies have always been financially linked to one another in a clannish sort of way, but the reality is: All these AI startups and companies are investing in and selling to one another.—
Allie Garfinkle,
Fortune,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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At the base of Mount Annupuri, the hotel is perfectly positioned for guests to jump straight on a gondola and onto the slopes, with countless ski and snowboard trails, high-quality off-piste powder skiing, and scenic family-friendly routes through the forests.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
26 Feb. 2026
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Raglan is a charming surf town on the west coast of New Zealand’s North Island where the vibes are laidback and friendly.—
Nicole Kliest,
Vogue,
26 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The Friends set was notorious for being cliquey and insular.—
Shamira Ibrahim,
Vulture,
19 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The galaxies that are so familiar and ubiquitous in our Universe today will die, at least in a sense, as well.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
20 Feb. 2026
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And in an increasingly fraught world, the need for a place that feels simple and familiar — one that offers the quiet assurance that everyone belongs — becomes not just understandable, but essential.—
Jenn Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The Bediako case is a nice counterexample to the favoritism argument; the first judge stepped aside when his relationship with the university, or at least the coverage and commentary surrounding it, was too close-knit to be ignored, and the second judge ruled against his alma mater.—
Stewart Mandel,
New York Times,
14 Feb. 2026
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The Bruins begin the season with a versatile and close-knit roster, Grant said.—
Anthony Solorzano,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Visiting boats moor in the bay but keep to the far side, close enough to admire and distant enough to ignore.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
25 Feb. 2026
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The senior got the final two outs, which kept the score close enough for the Hawks to tie the score in their half of the fifth inning.—
Lou Ponsi,
Oc Register,
25 Feb. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Cliquish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cliquish. Accessed 27 Feb. 2026.
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