Clannish

Characterized by a strong sense of belonging and loyalty to a specific group, often excluding outsiders. clannish behavior emphasizes solidarity and mutual support within the group, sometimes to the detriment of those outside its boundaries. This insular nature can manifest in social interactions, business dealings, or political affiliations, leading to favoritism and a reluctance to engage with individuals or groups deemed different or unrelated. The term implies a closed-off mentality and a preference for the familiar and the in-group.

Clannish meaning with examples

• The local community was clannish, tending to hire and support businesses owned by their own residents, making it difficult for outsiders to establish a presence. They prioritized their own and kept to themselves. The lack of diversity made it hard to feel accepted, but it brought a sense of security.
• Despite his attempts to integrate, he was always treated as an outsider because the organization remained clannish, with members only trusting and confiding in each other based on long-standing relationships, making it difficult to break in. The unspoken rules created walls.
• The old money families formed a clannish society, rarely associating with those who hadn't been born into wealth. The social gatherings were filled with familiar faces and shared history. This resulted in an almost unpassable social divide.
• During the negotiation, the delegation displayed a clannish attitude, refusing to compromise on any point, even when it was beneficial to both sides. Their loyalty to their own agenda trumped the deal. They focused only on themselves.
• In their shared history, the tribe had been forced to stay clannish because of a scarcity of resources in times of war. It allowed them to survive. This led to a deep mistrust of outsiders, making any cooperation or exchange difficult.