Definitions

cliquish

[klee-kish, klik-ish] / ˈkli kɪʃ, ˈklɪk ɪʃ /

ADJECTIVE

clannish

Synonyms

WEAK

akin alike associative close insular like narrow related reserved restricting restrictive sectarian unfriendly unreceptive

Antonyms

WEAK

friendly open welcoming

ADJECTIVE

exclusive

Synonyms

STRONGEST

absolute chic exclusionary fashionable licensed limited posh private privileged restrictive ritzy segregated sole swank unique

STRONG

choice chosen entire full independent narrow particular single total whole

WEAK

aloof aristocratic circumscribed clannish classy closed complete confined country club discriminative elegant exclusory only peculiar preferential prohibitive select selfish snobbish socially correct undivided upper crust

Antonyms

STRONGEST

old-fashioned open poor public unfashionable

STRONG

incomplete inferior part partial

WEAK

divided shared unlimited unrestricted

ADJECTIVE

partisan

Synonyms

STRONGEST

biased one-sided sectarian sympathetic unjust

STRONG

accessory blind colored die-hard exclusive fanatic partial

WEAK

adhering bigoted conspiratorial denominational devoted jaundiced overzealous prejudiced prepossessed tendentious unreasoning warped zealous

Antonyms

STRONGEST

fair unbiased

WEAK

disinterested

ADJECTIVE

rarefied

Synonyms

STRONGEST

esoteric exalted lofty

STRONG

elevated select

WEAK

private

Antonyms

WEAK

commonplace

ADJECTIVE

sectarian

Synonyms

STRONGEST

factional parochial partisan

STRONG

dissident doctrinaire fanatic limited local nonconformist provincial splinter

WEAK

bigoted clannish dogmatic fanatical hidebound insular nonconforming rigid schismatic skeptical small-town

Antonyms

STRONG

conforming

WEAK

broad broad-minded liberal nonsectarian

ADJECTIVE

swank

Synonyms

STRONGEST

chic elegant fancy fashionable posh ritzy swanky

STRONG

absolute choice chosen circumscribed closed complete confined entire full independent licensed limited narrow particular private privileged segregated select single sole total whole

WEAK

aloof aristocratic clannish classy country club discriminative exclusionary exclusory only peculiar preferential prohibitive restrictive selfish snobbish socially correct undivided unique upper crust

Antonyms

STRONGEST

old-fashioned poor unfashionable

STRONG

deficient dependent imperfect incomplete indefinite inferior needy open part partial public together unfinished unlimited unrestricted

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

They claim accountant-verified objectivity but often appear cliquish and stuck in industry bubbles.

From New York Times • Nov. 10, 2023

The cliquish culture of private aviation is no friend to the climate, either.

From Washington Post • Nov. 28, 2022

The agreement typified another problem in Food: a cliquish culture.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 21, 2020

In 2015, after a number of departures, Fortune published an article in which former employees complained about a cliquish, “mean girls” corporate culture.

From The New Yorker • Oct. 15, 2018

The far smaller English community hangs together in a somewhat cliquish fashion, and possibly cherishes a latent grudge against the Americans for their paramount influence in island affairs.

From The Hawaiian Archipelago by Bird, Isabella L. (Isabella Lucy)

cliquish

Example Sentences

Related Words