clannish

American  

[klan-ish] / ˈklæn ɪʃ /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of a clan.

2. inclined to associate exclusively with the members of one's own group; cliquish.

   the clannish behavior of the original members of the country club.

   Synonyms:

   narrow, aloof, distant, snobbish, exclusive

3. imbued with or influenced by the sentiments, prejudices, or the like, of a clan.

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clannish British  

/ ˈklænɪʃ /

adjective

1. of or characteristic of a clan

2. tending to associate closely within a limited group to the exclusion of outsiders; cliquish

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Other Word Forms

• clannishly adverb
• clannishness noun
• unclannish adjective
• unclannishly adverb
• unclannishness noun

Etymology

Origin of clannish

First recorded in 1770–80; clan + -ish ¹

Example Sentences

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.

From Los Angeles Times

It has that common pervasive dampness along with plenty of clannish townspeople who resent these nosy Nellies poking around where they have no business.

From New York Times

It was there that he developed his checkerboard model, examining the interactions among various groups at the internment camps: the “clannish” Nisei; children of Japanese immigrants; more reclusive detainees; and camp administrators.

From New York Times

O’Hanley compared the home’s current vibe to “Animal House”: “We’re quite clannish in that regard, but it’s not deliberate — it just seems to shake out that way.”

From New York Times

As each story revolves around the perils and power of racial or clannish identity, their sequels would naturally call for advances in inclusion of all kinds.

From Los Angeles Times