CLIQUISH Synonyms: 25 Similar and Opposite Words

cliquish

adjective

Definition of 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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 cliquish Whitehead wanted to write, but workshops rejected him and the cliquish undergraduate literary scene put him off. — Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 22 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cliquish

Adjective

The Machine was lambasted, fairly, for its clannish coördination and its efforts to keep Democratic politics in a certain mainstream style.

— Nathan Heller, New Yorker, 1 June 2026
In the Middle Ages, local churchgoers whispered of clannish Jews poisoning wells to kill Christian children and steal their blood for their rituals.

— Mike Rothschild, Big Think, 31 Mar. 2026

Definition of clannish

Adjective

Organizers promoted the event as a family-friendly space with an Easter egg hunt and horse rides for children, according to the statement.

— Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 July 2026
There was a June 1977 friendly in Buenos Aires where punches were thrown and players were ejected.

— Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 July 2026

Definition of friendly

Adjective

The middle daughter of the family has always felt outside of its cliquey confines, what with Lizzy and Jane forming such a pair and Kitty and Lydia (Molly Wright and Grace Hogg-Robinson) practically sharing a brain.

— Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 6 May 2026
The Friends set was notorious for being cliquey and insular.

— Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 19 Sep. 2025

Definition of cliquey

Adjective

Men’s European Championship 2024 Spain versus England is becoming quite familiar in finals.

— Michael Cox, New York Times, 14 July 2026
Blending the vintage style of a Mary Jane shoe with the modern, casual style of a trainer, these shoes shine with their unique but familiar design.

— Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 14 July 2026

Definition of familiar

Adjective

Even though talks with the Boston Red Sox at last year’s deadline never got close, the confusion provided by an incorrect tweet announcing Ryan’s trade to New England put the pitcher at the top of every trade list before the season even began.

— Dan Hayes, New York Times, 6 July 2026
Ashley Smith is the manager of player engagement for the NFL, and the siblings are close.

— Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 6 July 2026

Definition of close

Browse Nearby Words

cliquey

cliquish

cliquishness

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“Cliquish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cliquish. Accessed 16 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of cliquish

adjective

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