cliquey
Tight-knit, unwelcoming group
Cliquey describes people or groups that form tight, exclusive circles and aren't welcoming to outsiders.
A cliquey workplace or school has social clusters that are difficult to break into.
The word carries a negative connotation, suggesting snobbishness or deliberate exclusion rather than mere close friendship.
The department was so cliquey that new hires ate lunch alone for months.
Also spelled cliquish.
Exclusionary toward outsiders
- insularNarrow in outlook
- unwelcomingHostile to guests
- closed-offEmotionally unreachable, reserved
- standoffishUnfriendly in manner
aloof · unfriendly · inaccessible · unapproachable · restrictive · segregated · detached · cold-shouldering
Fastened or emotionally connected
- close-knitStrongly united group
- inseparableUnable to be divided
- loyalFirm in allegiance
- solidarityUnity among allies
in-group · tribal · groupthink · camaraderie · cohesive · clannish · members-only
Conceited and aloof
- snootyAffectedly superior in manner
- snobbyCondescendingly self-important
- haughtyDisdainfully proud
- condescendingSuperior and dismissive manner
supercilious · disdainful · holier-than-thou · nose-in-the-air · hoity-toity · highfalutin · uppity · self-important
Fashionable exclusive group
- outcastingEjecting from belonging
- ostracizingExcluding from a group
- shunningDeliberately avoiding someone
- blackballingGroup exclusion practice
gossip · whispering · side-eyeing · frenemy · two-faced · backstabbing · playground · sorority
clannish
Exclusionary toward outsiders
- insularNarrow in outlook
- unwelcomingHostile to guests
- closed-offEmotionally unreachable, reserved
standoffish · aloof · unfriendly · inaccessible · unapproachable · restrictive · segregated · detached · cold-shouldering · uninviting
bonded
Fastened or emotionally connected
- close-knitStrongly united group
- inseparableUnable to be divided
- loyalFirm in allegiance
solidarity · in-group · tribal · groupthink · camaraderie · cohesive · clannish · members-only
stuck-up
Conceited and aloof
condescending · supercilious · disdainful · holier-than-thou · nose-in-the-air · hoity-toity · highfalutin · uppity · self-important · pretentious
in-crowd
Fashionable exclusive group
- outcastingEjecting from belonging
- ostracizingExcluding from a group
- shunningDeliberately avoiding someone
blackballing · gossip · whispering · side-eyeing · frenemy · two-faced · backstabbing · playground · sorority · fraternity
cliqueyinclusive
Covering all members
open · welcoming · accepting · accessible · egalitarian
cliqueywelcoming
Receiving others warmly
friendly · approachable · receptive · hospitable · warm