clannishness

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Word: Clannishness

Definition:
Clannishness is a noun that describes the tendency of people to only associate or interact with a specific, select group of individuals, often excluding others. This can happen within families, social groups, or communities where members are very close and may not welcome outsiders.

Usage Instructions:

• Context: You might use "clannishness" when discussing social behaviors, group dynamics, or communities that are very exclusive.
• Formality: It is more formal than everyday conversation and might be used in academic or serious discussions.

Example Sentence:

"The clannishness of the small town made it difficult for newcomers to fit in and make friends."

Advanced Usage:

In more advanced contexts, clannishness can refer to the social structures or cultural practices that reinforce such exclusivity. You might discuss how clannishness can affect relationships in various types of communities, such as ethnic groups or professional organizations.

Word Variants:

• Clannish (adjective): Describing someone or something that shows clannishness.
  • Example: "Their clannish behavior kept them apart from the rest of the community."
• Clannishly (adverb): Describing the manner in which someone behaves in a clannish way.
  • Example: "They clannishly gathered at the family reunion, leaving others feeling excluded."

Different Meaning:

While "clannishness" primarily refers to social exclusivity, it can also imply a strong sense of loyalty to one's group. In some contexts, this loyalty can be seen positively (as in strong family ties) or negatively (as in prejudice against outsiders).

Synonyms:

• Exclusivity
• Insularity
• Clannish behavior
• Nepotism (in certain contexts)

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

While there are no direct idioms specifically for "clannishness," you might use phrases that convey similar meanings: - "Birds of a feather flock together" - This idiom means that people with similar interests or characteristics tend to associate with each other. - "Tight-knit community" - This refers to a close group of people who support each other but might also be exclusive.

Conclusion:

Understanding "clannishness" helps us recognize how groups form and why some may be more welcoming than others.

Academic

Noun

1. tendency to associate with only a select group

Synonyms

• cliquishness
• exclusiveness