cliques
Tight social circles
Cliques are small, exclusive groups whose members share common interests and tend to exclude outsiders.
The word carries a negative connotation—it suggests the group is insular and perhaps snobbish: High school cliques can be brutal to anyone who doesn't fit in.
A clique differs from a circle of friends mainly in its perceived exclusivity and unwelcoming attitude toward newcomers.
Being barred from participation
- belongingState of fitting in
- social anxietyFear of being judged
- rejectionDenial of acceptance
- peer pressureInfluence from one's equals
insecurity · loneliness · ostracism · groupthink · conformity · popularity · isolation · bullying
Self-service dining facility
- hallwayInterior connecting passage
- lockersSecure storage compartments
- jocksCasual term for sportspeople
- nerdsObsessive intellectuals, or candy
preps · goths · cheerleaders · outcasts · loners · misfits · adolescence · teenagers
Narrow in outlook
- tight-knitClosely and firmly united
- cloisteredSheltered from outside contact
- isolatedSeparated from others
- self-containedWhole without external parts
impenetrable · aloof · standoffish · detached · withdrawn · hermetic · bubble · enclave
Exclusive social cluster
- out-groupPerceived foreign collective
- belongingState of fitting in
- acceptanceConsent to receive
- inclusionBeing made part
popularity · status · reputation · conformity · groupthink · loyalty · allegiance · favoritism
Superior select group
- selectiveChoosing with care
- members-onlyRestricted to enrolled participants
- closedNot accessible now
- restrictedLimited in scope
gatekeeping · snobbish · clannish · unwelcoming · rejection · ostracism · blackballing · cold-shoulder
exclusion
Being barred from participation
- belongingState of fitting in
- social anxietyFear of being judged
- rejectionDenial of acceptance
peer pressure · insecurity · loneliness · ostracism · groupthink · conformity · popularity · isolation · bullying · social hierarchy
cafeteria
Self-service dining facility
- hallwayInterior connecting passage
- lockersSecure storage compartments
- jocksCasual term for sportspeople
nerds · preps · goths · cheerleaders · outcasts · loners · misfits · adolescence · teenagers · homecoming
insular
Narrow in outlook
- tight-knitClosely and firmly united
- cloisteredSheltered from outside contact
- isolatedSeparated from others
self-contained · impenetrable · aloof · standoffish · detached · withdrawn · hermetic · bubble · enclave · silos
in-group
Exclusive social cluster
- out-groupPerceived foreign collective
- belongingState of fitting in
- acceptanceConsent to receive
inclusion · popularity · status · reputation · conformity · groupthink · loyalty · allegiance · favoritism · bias
elite
Superior select group
- selectiveChoosing with care
- members-onlyRestricted to enrolled participants
- closedNot accessible now
restricted · gatekeeping · snobbish · clannish · unwelcoming · rejection · ostracism · blackballing · cold-shoulder · snubbing
friends
Voluntary close relations
posse · gang · circle · group · bunch · buddies · pals · confidants · companions · allies
- social crueltybullying, harassment, humiliation, shaming, mocking
- Republican ChinaRepublic of China, Sun Yat-sen, Chiang Kai-shek, Kuomintang, Guomindang
- groupsteam, teams, group, club, clubs
- workplacehours, cubicle, desk job, holiday party, desk
- adolescencepuberty, teenager, coming-of-age, growing up, teen
- groupingsgroups, categories, classes, divisions, clusters
cliquespublic forums
Open spaces for discourse
melting pots · communes · general public · the masses · public gatherings
cliquescrowds
Assembled multitudes
mobs · general population · masses · general public · strangers
cliquesindividuals
Separate, distinct people
loners · lone wolves · independents · solitaries · nonconformists