as in cliquish
bound together by feelings of very close association
found the people at the brokerage house to be just as cliquey as a gaggle of high school cheerleaders
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Recent Examples of cliquey
The Friends set was notorious for being cliquey and insular.
—
Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 19 Sep. 2025
Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 19 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cliquey
Adjective
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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
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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
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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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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
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This moment marks the transition from familiar to unpredictable.—
Micki Meyer,
The Orlando Sentinel,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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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
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Milwaukee feels more compact and close-knit, in some cases.—
JR Radcliffe,
jsonline.com,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cliquey.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cliquey. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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