close-knit

adjective

ˈklōs-ˈnit How to pronounce close-knit (audio)
Definition of close-knitnext
as in friendly
bound together by feelings of very close association a close-knit family that constantly keeps in touch

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 close-knit Her family was, and is, close-knit. — Andre Mouchard, Daily News, 9 May 2026 Local neighborhoods are so close-knit that everyone knows each other, said Allison Buell, a teacher and coach in Hammond. — Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 11 Apr. 2026 Leading this loud and lovingly close-knit multigenerational family is Suga Mama (Jo Marie Payton), the feisty grandma and matriarch. — Lynnette Nicholas, Parents, 6 Apr. 2026 The family is close-knit, intrusive, rude and menacing. — Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 31 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for close-knit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for close-knit
  1. friendly
  2. clannish
  3. cliquish
  4. familiar
  5. cliquey
  6. close
  7. intimate
Adjective
  • For families Apart from the family-sized villa estates and kid-friendly menus, Nihi has a host of activities that will please even the youngest beach bums.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Mbeumo led the line against Leeds for the third consecutive friendly, flanked by Amad to his right and Patrick Dorgu to his left, and has stood out.
    — Cerys Jones, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of friendly
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
  • Whitehead wanted to write, but workshops rejected him and the cliquish undergraduate literary scene put him off.
    — Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 22 June 2026
Definition of cliquish
Adjective
  • Financial firms are now gearing up to jump into the market in a different way, as executives like Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon and KKR's Waldemar Szlezak see AI equipment attaining familiar money-making characteristics.
    — Kif Leswing, CNBC, 11 Aug. 2026
  • If this sounds like a familiar issue to you, pack some extra Tylenol to be safe.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of familiar
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
  • Girls’ Generation, currently eight members, can be taken as a closer parallel of the same story.
    — Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Messi’s close friend and international teammate, Rodrigo De Paul, captained the squad in his absence.
    — Avi Creditor, New York Times, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of close
Adjective
  • Afforded a slightly more intimate feel than Southampton, Leicester et al due to its smaller size, Swansea fans can generate a lively atmosphere here, helped by what feels to be a good proximity to the action.
    — Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Your daughter can save her more intimate plans for a renewal-of-vows ceremony held on a milestone anniversary.
    — Jeanne Phillips, Mercury News, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of intimate

Browse Nearby Words

close in (on)
close-knit
closely
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Close-knit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/close-knit. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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