as in cliquish
bound together by feelings of very close association
a clannish family that can be rather cool to outsiders
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Recent Examples of clannish
There are a broad spectrum of other possible explanations for the disparate outcomes Boegeman cites, including religious differences, geographic differences, even — gasp — the clannish propensity of ethnic groups to band together and create — or retain — their unique cultural traditions.
—
Star Tribune, 19 July 2021
The Trumps are nothing if not clannish.
—Hari Kunzru, The New York Review of Books, 2 July 2020
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.
—Mary McNamara, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2022
And yet to visit Derry’s neighborhoods is to find a strange mix of clannish loyalty and civic open-mindedness.
—New York Times, 3 July 2022
See all Example Sentences for clannish 
Star Tribune, 19 July 2021
The Trumps are nothing if not clannish.
—Hari Kunzru, The New York Review of Books, 2 July 2020
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.
—Mary McNamara, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2022
And yet to visit Derry’s neighborhoods is to find a strange mix of clannish loyalty and civic open-mindedness.
—New York Times, 3 July 2022
See all Example Sentences for clannish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clannish
Adjective
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The first international match of the year for Costa Rica is here, and they're headed to Orlando's Inter & Co Stadium on Wednesday to take on the USA in what's shaping up to be a lively friendly.—
Raul A. Reyes,
Newsweek,
23 Jan. 2025
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Pochettino didn’t need either of them in the USMNT’s 3-0 friendly win over Costa Rica last night — but far bigger examinations lie ahead.—
Phil Hay,
The Athletic,
23 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Leading this loud and lovingly close-knit multigenerational family is Suga Mama (Jo Marie Payton), the feisty grandma and matriarch.—
Lynnette Nicholas,
Parents,
15 Jan. 2025
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In her new Prime Video documentary Megan Thee Stallion: In Her Words, Grammy-winning rapper Megan Thee Stallion shares a close-knit look at her public triumphs and personal struggles behind the limelight.—
Sughnen Yongo,
Forbes,
31 Oct. 2024
Adjective
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Lesson 1: King rejected narratives of ‘good vs. evil’ This lesson starts with a familiar human emotion: the snub.—
John Blake,
CNN,
19 Jan. 2025
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And as often as Onana has bailed his team-mates out this season, there have also been familiar errors, including his spill to gift Rutter Brighton’s third.—
Mark Critchley,
The Athletic,
19 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near clannish
Cite this Entry
“Clannish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clannish. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
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