Cliques

Noun: cliques refer to small, exclusive groups of people who tend to associate closely with one another, often to the exclusion of others. These groups can form in various social contexts, such as schools, workplaces, or communities, and are characterized by shared interests, values, or social status. The term can carry a negative connotation, often implying elitism or social barriers.

Cliques meaning with examples

• In high school, it was common to see various cliques forming, each with their distinct identity, from the jocks to the nerds, influencing how students interacted with one another and shaped their social environment.
• At the office, cliques often develop among teams working on similar projects, creating a sense of camaraderie but sometimes leading to misunderstandings or biases against those outside the group.
• Social media has amplified the presence of cliques in today's world, with online groups forming around specific interests, leading to both a sense of belonging and potential exclusion for those not part of the community.
• Cliques can impact individual self-esteem in a school setting, as students may feel pressured to conform to the group's norms, sometimes compromising their own values in the pursuit of acceptance.
• While cliques can create tight-knit support networks, they can also lead to gossip and exclusion, as people outside these circles may feel alienated or overlooked in social situations.