cliquish
Keeping outsiders out
Cliquish describes people or groups that form tight, exclusive circles and resist outsiders.
A cliquish office divides into factions that don't mix.
Cliquish behavior involves shutting out those who don't belong: The department was so cliquish that new hires struggled to break in.
The word carries disapproval—cliquishness suggests pettiness and social gatekeeping.
Narrow in outlook
- clannishExclusionary toward outsiders
- tribalOf a clan
- in-groupExclusive social cluster
- bondedFastened or emotionally connected
loyal · solidarity · groupthink · hivemind · clubby · chummy · cronyism · nepotistic
One favoring the privileged
- haughtyDisdainfully proud
- superciliousArrogantly contemptuous of others
- snootyAffectedly superior in manner
- stuck-upConceited and aloof
condescending · pretentious · pompous · conceited · high-and-mighty · nose-in-the-air · superior · disdainful
Choosing with care
- insularNarrow in outlook
- exclusionaryTending to bar others
- closedNot accessible now
- privateRestricted to certain parties
restrictive · members-only · gated · discriminatory · segregated · inaccessible · elite · unapproachable
Unfriendly in manner
- cold-shoulderIntentional social rejection
- aloofEmotionally withdrawn, uninviting
- unfriendlyNot welcoming or warm
- inhospitableUnwelcoming, harsh to visitors
chilly · distant · frosty · snubbing · rejecting · excluding · ostracizing · uninviting
insular
Narrow in outlook
bonded · loyal · solidarity · groupthink · hivemind · clubby · chummy · cronyism · nepotistic · fraternal
elitist
One favoring the privileged
- haughtyDisdainfully proud
- superciliousArrogantly contemptuous of others
- snootyAffectedly superior in manner
stuck-up · condescending · pretentious · pompous · conceited · high-and-mighty · nose-in-the-air · superior · disdainful · patronizing
selective
Choosing with care
- insularNarrow in outlook
- exclusionaryTending to bar others
- closedNot accessible now
private · restrictive · members-only · gated · discriminatory · segregated · inaccessible · elite · unapproachable · limited
standoffish
Unfriendly in manner
- cold-shoulderIntentional social rejection
- aloofEmotionally withdrawn, uninviting
- unfriendlyNot welcoming or warm
inhospitable · chilly · distant · frosty · snubbing · rejecting · excluding · ostracizing · uninviting · hostile
- arrogancearrogant, conceited, pompous, vain, haughty
- intolerantbigoted, biased, prejudiced, discriminatory, intolerant
cliquishopen-minded
Receptive to different ideas
broad-minded · ecumenical · cosmopolitan · public · unrestricted