clannish
Keeping outsiders out
Clannish describes an insular group loyalty that excludes outsiders.
A clannish family keeps to itself and views newcomers with suspicion.
The word carries mildly negative connotations—suggesting excessive tribal loyalty or unwillingness to welcome those outside the group: The neighborhood was clannish; it took years before anyone invited us over.
Tending toward exclusive groups
- elitistOne favoring the privileged
- selectiveChoosing with care
- snobbishCondescending toward perceived inferiors
- exclusionaryTending to bar others
unwelcoming · standoffish · aloof · gatekeeping · nepotistic · favoritism · discriminatory · restrictive
State of being related
- bondingForming close connections
- closenessState of proximity
- togethernessState of close connection
- camaraderieGoodwill among companions
cohesive · intimate · fellowship · brotherhood · sisterhood · unity · familial · clique
Regional or narrow-minded
- parochialNarrow in perspective
- narrow-mindedIntolerant of differing views
- xenophobicFearing or hating outsiders
- isolationistAdvocate for national seclusion
inward-looking · secluded · hermetic · self-contained · separatist · guarded · detached · myopic
Social group sharing ancestry
- kinfolkFamily members collectively
- lineageDescent from progenitors
- bloodlineAncestry through generations
- ancestryFamily line of descent
heritage · dynasty · genealogy · ethnicity · patriarchal · matriarchal · customs · traditions
Loyally and lovingly attached
- steadfastFirmly loyal, unshakeable
- allegianceLoyalty owed to authority
- faithfulConsistently loyal and true
- solidarityUnity among allies
unwavering · staunch · supportive · dedicated · fealty · true · committed · protective
Group within group
- schismFormal organizational fracture
- sectBreakaway religious faction
- denominationNamed religious group
- dogmaticAsserting opinions as facts
orthodox · fundamentalist · partisan · splinter-group · divisive · factionalism · cultish · groupthink
cliquey
Tending toward exclusive groups
- elitistOne favoring the privileged
- selectiveChoosing with care
- snobbishCondescending toward perceived inferiors
exclusionary · unwelcoming · standoffish · aloof · gatekeeping · nepotistic · favoritism · discriminatory · restrictive · in-group
kinship
State of being related
- bondingForming close connections
- closenessState of proximity
- togethernessState of close connection
camaraderie · cohesive · intimate · fellowship · brotherhood · sisterhood · unity · familial · clique · in-group
provincial
Regional or narrow-minded
- parochialNarrow in perspective
- narrow-mindedIntolerant of differing views
- xenophobicFearing or hating outsiders
isolationist · inward-looking · secluded · hermetic · self-contained · separatist · guarded · detached · myopic · small-minded
tribe
Social group sharing ancestry
- kinfolkFamily members collectively
- lineageDescent from progenitors
- bloodlineAncestry through generations
ancestry · heritage · dynasty · genealogy · ethnicity · patriarchal · matriarchal · customs · traditions · caste
devoted
Loyally and lovingly attached
- steadfastFirmly loyal, unshakeable
- allegianceLoyalty owed to authority
- faithfulConsistently loyal and true
solidarity · unwavering · staunch · supportive · dedicated · fealty · true · committed · protective · ride-or-die
faction
Group within group
- schismFormal organizational fracture
- sectBreakaway religious faction
- denominationNamed religious group
dogmatic · orthodox · fundamentalist · partisan · splinter-group · divisive · factionalism · cultish · groupthink · ideological
- Mormon stereotypesBYU, Utah, missionaries, polygamy, sister wives
clannishwelcoming
Receiving others warmly
open · inclusive · hospitable · friendly · receptive
clannishcosmopolitan
Culturally sophisticated, internationally fluent
universalist · ecumenical · catholic · worldly · outward-looking
clannishcosmopolitan
Culturally sophisticated, internationally fluent
universal · ecumenical · egalitarian · broad-minded · open-minded