cliquish

[klee-kish, klik-ish]

adjective

1. associating exclusively with the members of one's own clique; clannish.

2. tending to divide into cliques.

   a cliquish neighborhood.

3. of, relating to, or characteristic of a clique.

   narrow, cliquish notions about art.

Other Word Forms

• cliquishly adverb
• cliquishness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of cliquish¹

First recorded in 1850–55; clique + -ish ¹

Example Sentences

To me, he was a hero in a cliquish school.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

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

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But the Biden appointee quickly ruffled feathers by pushing out several career DEA officials she viewed as part of a cliquish culture that allowed misconduct to flourish.

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Her school’s faculty is cliquish and unwelcoming, and Penny often draws the ire of a few women who see her as a threat.

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“Football, it can kind of become cliquish,” he said.

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Related Words

• absolute 
• chic 
• exclusionary 
• fashionable 
• licensed www.thesaurus.com
• limited 
• posh 
• private 
• privileged 
• restrictive 
• ritzy 
• segregated 
• sole 
• swank 
• unique