as in cliquish
bound together by feelings of very close association
a clannish family that can be rather cool to outsiders
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Recent Examples of clannish
Ambassadorships are often awarded to loyalists and supporters, but this appointment looks particularly clannish.
—
Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 22 Jan. 2025
The model relies on a dramatic shift in relations among officers and prisoners, two historically warring factions in a system built on clannish gamesmanship for survival.
—Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 29 July 2024
The most successful of those managers have carved out a niche catering to the valley’s famously clannish billionaire elites.
—James McClain, Robb Report, 6 Dec. 2023
There are a broad spectrum of other possible explanations for the disparate outcomes Boegeman cites, including religious differences, geographic differences, even — gasp — the clannish propensity of ethnic groups to band together and create — or retain — their unique cultural traditions.
—Star Tribune, 19 July 2021
See All Example Sentences for clannish
Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 22 Jan. 2025
The model relies on a dramatic shift in relations among officers and prisoners, two historically warring factions in a system built on clannish gamesmanship for survival.
—Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 29 July 2024
The most successful of those managers have carved out a niche catering to the valley’s famously clannish billionaire elites.
—James McClain, Robb Report, 6 Dec. 2023
There are a broad spectrum of other possible explanations for the disparate outcomes Boegeman cites, including religious differences, geographic differences, even — gasp — the clannish propensity of ethnic groups to band together and create — or retain — their unique cultural traditions.
—Star Tribune, 19 July 2021
See All Example Sentences for clannish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clannish
Adjective
-
Next, environmentally friendly chemicals convert the rare earths from solid to liquid form, allowing selective separation.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Per capita income was just $4,000, and the government once tried to bribe me to provide more friendly coverage.—
Nicholas D. Kristof,
Mercury News,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The Bruins begin the season with a versatile and close-knit roster, Grant said.—
Anthony Solorzano,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Milwaukee feels more compact and close-knit, in some cases.—
JR Radcliffe,
jsonline.com,
9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The Friends set was notorious for being cliquey and insular.—
Shamira Ibrahim,
Vulture,
19 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Super Bowl Sunday will bring watch parties with overflowing snack tables and a familiar lineup of wings, chips and dip.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
5 Feb. 2026
-
This moment marks the transition from familiar to unpredictable.—
Micki Meyer,
The Orlando Sentinel,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Clannish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clannish. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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