Definition

Adjective: 1. Exclusive and Snobbish: Characteristic of a small, exclusive group that is unfriendly or unwelcoming to outsiders; tending to associate only with a select circle and rebuff those considered inferior or outside the group. 2. Pertaining to a Clique: Befitting or typical of a clique—a small, closed group of people with shared interests or other features in common, who often exclude others.

Usage

The word "cliquish" is used to describe the behavior, attitude, or nature of a group or an individual that is exclusive and unwelcoming. It carries a negative connotation, implying snobbery, exclusivity, and a lack of openness.

Examples

• Describing a Group:
  • The club had a cliquish atmosphere that made new members feel uncomfortable.
  • Her coworkers were so cliquish that they always ate lunch together and never invited anyone else.
• Describing Behavior or Attitude:
  • His cliquish behavior in high school meant he only talked to people from his own neighborhood.
  • The department was criticized for its cliquish tendencies, favoring insiders for promotions.

Advanced Usage

• "to be cliquish": To exhibit the characteristics of a clique.
  • Despite its friendly appearance, the student organization could be surprisingly cliquish.
• Sociological Context: Used to analyze social dynamics within organizations, schools, or communities.
  • The study examined the cliquish nature of adolescent social networks.

Variants and Related Words

• Clique (n): A small, exclusive group of people.
  • She refused to join any of the social cliques at school.
• Cliquey (adj): An informal variant with the same meaning as "cliquish."
  • The office culture was terribly cliquey.
• Cliquishness (n): The quality or state of being cliquish.
  • The cliquishness of the group was a barrier to effective teamwork.

Synonyms

• Exclusive: Restricted to a particular group.
• Snobbish: Feeling superior to others.
• Aloof: Not friendly or forthcoming; distant.
• Insular: Ignorant of or uninterested in cultures, ideas, or peoples outside one's own experience.
• Selective: Tending to choose carefully or favoring some over others (in a social context).

Antonyms

• Inclusive: Open to everyone; not excluding any particular group of people.
• Welcoming: Behaving in a friendly way to guests or newcomers.
• Open: Willing to consider new ideas; unprejudiced and approachable.
• Gregarious: Fond of company; sociable.

Idioms and Phrases

• "To form a clique": To create a small, exclusive group. While not using "cliquish" directly, this phrase describes the action that leads to a cliquish environment.
  • Some of the seniors formed a clique that dominated student council decisions.

Adjective

1. befitting or characteristic of those who incline to social exclusiveness and who rebuff the advances of people considered inferior