strong ties

Intimate social connections

Strong ties are close, emotionally significant relationships—family members, best friends, romantic partners.

The term comes from sociology, where it contrasts with weak ties (acquaintances, distant contacts).

Strong ties provide emotional support and trust but tend to circulate the same information and opportunities.

Weak ties, paradoxically, often prove more useful for job leads and new ideas because they bridge different social circles.

Opposites
relationship intensity

strong tiesweak ties

Loose social connections

loose connections · nodding acquaintances · strangers · fair-weather friends · contacts

bond durability/commitment

strong tiesfair-weather friendships

Bonds lasting only during ease

no strings attached

Family

strong, stronger, strongest, strongly, strength, strengths, strengthen, strengthens, strengthened

Familiarity
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