inner circle

American  

noun

1. a small, intimate, and often influential group of people.

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Etymology

Origin of inner circle

First recorded in 1870–75

Example Sentences

Army chief Asim Munir and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have worked in coordination to cultivate the U.S. president and his inner circle.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

Rodriguez, a former member of Maduro's inner circle who is now championing liberal reforms, hailed the law as "a vehicle for building future prosperity."

From Barron's • Apr. 9, 2026

Shell brought substantial experience running a media company to Ellison’s inner circle, a group that included former investment bankers and others who haven’t run a large-scale enterprise.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 8, 2026

Elkholy told the BBC he had not been part of Epstein's inner circle.

From BBC • Mar. 27, 2026

Probably so Snow and his inner circle can make a last-minute escape to some presidential bunker somewhere if needed.

From "Mockingjay" by Suzanne Collins