cliques

Definition of cliquesnext
plural of clique

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 cliques Corbett also thinks that deputy cliques existed at one point. Teagan Davidge, Daily News, 14 May 2026 In this milieu, Hollywood A-listers like Will Ferrell and Sharon Stone, who occupy separate cliques nearby, pale in comparison to the mingling artistic luminaries. Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2026 Neither wants to navigate the cliques and social politics of this messy consolidated school. Literary Hub, 14 Apr. 2026 Instead, the researchers think the violence stemmed from a breakdown of friendships and escalations between cliques and rivals. Evan Bush, NBC news, 9 Apr. 2026 The dark comedy about teen suicide and social cliques was adapted into a musical by Laurence O’Keefe and Kevin Murphy and had an off-Broadway run in 2014. Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 8 Apr. 2026 Their parties became notorious even in my own cliques; my parents knew to expect at least a few dozen teenagers crashing their party, sucking down all the noodles, and sneaking beers in the canyon down below. Natasha Pickowicz, Vogue, 20 Feb. 2026 This graph had no cliques — clusters of nodes that are all connected to one another. Leila Sloman, Quanta Magazine, 28 Jan. 2026 What began as a search for community and understanding turned into an experience that felt akin to the cliques and social hierarchies of high school. Hannah Nwoko, Parents, 25 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cliques
Noun
  • In Napster’s absence, distributed P2P networks became much more popular.
    Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 20 May 2026
  • Middle regions of the country proved easier for people on the move because the climate was often better for growing crops, soils were fertile and the Mississippi, Ohio and other rivers provided transportation networks.
    Judith Kohler, Denver Post, 20 May 2026
Noun
  • Where the magic happens, where communities come together in a historic venue to sing and celebrate and commiserate.
    Andy Mitten, New York Times, 21 May 2026
  • Israel is razing and looting homes and has vowed to prevent hundreds of thousands of residents, predominantly Shiites, though also members of other religious communities, from returning.
    Rania Abouzeid, New Yorker, 21 May 2026
Noun
  • On the other hand, those who carry heterosis face discrimination from within their own circles — Jim is cast out from by the gym queen crowd when his positive test for the virus is exposed — in a clear parallel for how HIV+ people are often treated in gay circles.
    Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 15 May 2026
  • As someone who started wearing makeup in high school to hide my dark under-eye circles and unyielding teenage acne, color correctors and concealers have long been mainstays in my makeup bag.
    Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 15 May 2026
Noun
  • The Philly crowds have been Rory-obsessed.
    Brendan Quinn, New York Times, 17 May 2026
  • For the calmest conditions, visit in the summer, from around June to August (although late spring and autumn may bring fewer crowds).
    Stephanie Vermillion, Travel + Leisure, 17 May 2026
Noun
  • Suffice to say, the comedians are soon way over their head and find themselves in the middle of a war between rival gangs.
    Alex Knapp, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026
  • An outbreak of violence by warring gangs has led to the deaths of at least 80 people, according to human rights advocates, and forced the temporary suspension of operations at both Médecins Sans Frontières’ health facility in Cité Soleil, and Centre Hospitalier de Fontaine.
    Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 16 May 2026
Noun
  • The customer then places an order, and the team in Spain coordinates with the group’s manufacturing facilities to bring these looks to life, starting with sending design assets and tech packs.
    Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 18 May 2026
  • Mazda also offers a broad selection of optional extras, including multiple paint finishes, different alloy wheel designs, styling packs and practical accessories such as bike carriers, dog guards and roof storage solutions.
    Matthew MacConnell, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026
Noun
  • Families are assembling adjacent estates over time, creating compounds designed to remain within clans for generations.
    Natalie Hoberman, Forbes.com, 16 May 2026
  • However, the ruthless King Saran (Oscar nominee Chiwetel Ejiofor) has suppressed magic users and enacts a rule of terror, which Zelie hopes to end in order to reunite Orisha’s clans.
    Jordan Moreau, Variety, 16 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The Last Witch Hunter, about the one man who stands between humanity and the most horrible witch covens imaginable, grossed $130 million at the worldwide box office at the time of its initial theatrical release in 2015.
    Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 8 Sep. 2025
  • By then the witchy girl was everywhere, forming outcast covens in The Craft, fighting supernatural baddies in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Charmed, all grown up and empowered to destroy abusive boyfriends in Practical Magic.
    Judy Berman, TIME, 10 Oct. 2024

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cliques.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cliques. Accessed 23 May. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on cliques

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster