incestuous

/in'sestjuəs/
Học thuật
Thân thiện
Definition
  1. Adjective:
    • Relating to or involving incest: Describes something connected to the act of incest, which is sexual activity between family members or close relatives where such a relationship is prohibited by law or custom.
    • Characterized by excessively close and often unhealthily exclusive relationships: Used metaphorically to describe a group, system, or relationship that is inwardly focused, self-reinforcing, and resistant to outside influence, often to its detriment.
Usage Examples

  • Literal meaning (relating to incest):

    • The novel explores the dark secrets of an incestuous family.
    • Such incestuous relationships were taboo in their culture.

  • Metaphorical meaning (excessively close-knit):

    • The industry was criticized for its incestuous hiring practices, where only friends of existing employees were considered.
    • The political elite formed an incestuous circle of power, sharing favors and shutting out newcomers.
Advanced Usage

  • "Incestuous relationship": Can refer literally to a familial sexual relationship or metaphorically to any partnership or alliance that is too closed-off and self-serving.

    • The merger was seen as an incestuous relationship between two companies already owned by the same holding group.

  • "Incestuous atmosphere": Describes an environment where relationships are overly intimate, exclusive, or nepotistic.

    • An incestuous atmosphere of favoritism plagued the department, stifling innovation.
Variants and Related Words

  • Incest (n): The act of sexual relations between persons so closely related that they are forbidden by law or custom to marry.

    • The law prohibits incest.

  • Incestuously (adv): In a manner relating to or resembling incest.

    • The two firms were incestuously intertwined.
Synonyms
  • Inbred: Produced by inbreeding; (metaphorically) confined to a narrow group or tradition.
  • Nepotistic: Showing favoritism to relatives, especially in appointing them to jobs.
  • Clannish: Tending to associate exclusively with the members of one's own group; closed.
  • Endogamous: Marrying or requiring to marry within one's own tribe or similar social unit.
Antonyms
  • Exogamous: Marrying or requiring to marry outside one's own tribe or similar social unit.
  • Open: Accessible to all; not closed or exclusive.
  • Meritocratic: Based on ability and talent rather than connections or background.
Adjective
  1. relating to or involving incest
  2. resembling incest as by excessive intimacy

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