Cliquish Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

online behavior

Relating to or characteristic of a group of people who form a close-knit community online and are often exclusive or resistant to outsiders.

elitist, exclusive, selective.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
cliquish	This word is often used to describe a group of people who are very close and don't let others join easily. It has a negative connotation. The new students found the school to be quite cliquish, making it hard for them to make friends
exclusive	This word refers to something that is not available to everyone, often because it is expensive, special, or limited. It can have either a neutral or negative connotation depending on the context. The club is very exclusive, requiring an invitation to join
selective	This word is used to describe someone or something that is very careful about choosing people or things, often suggesting high standards. It generally has a neutral or positive connotation. The university is highly selective, admitting only the top 5% of applicants
elitist	This term is used to describe someone or a group that believes they are superior to others, often in terms of intellect or social status. It has a negative connotation. Her elitist attitude made it difficult for her to connect with people from different backgrounds

Examples of usage

• Her cliquish attitude made it difficult for new members to join the online forum.

• The cliquish behavior of the group created a sense of exclusion among others.

• I found the cliquish nature of the online community to be unwelcoming.

• The cliquishness of the group was evident in their reluctance to interact with newcomers.

• Her cliquish tendencies made it challenging to integrate into the online community.