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clannishness

clannishness

8.6
A habit of staying close to a small group and avoiding outsiders
  • noun
  • /ˈklænɪʃnəs/
translation icon : clanismo
  • The community's clannishness often led to misunderstandings with outsiders.

Examples

  • Their clannishness was evident during the festival, where they only interacted with each other.

  • Despite a reputation for "clannishness," Czechs and Moravians

    Academic text (1996)
  • Even though there is less scarcity and mass media have greatly reduced the isolation and clannishness, neither is far enough in the past for the ethos to be completely forgotten or much changed.

    Blog text (32)
  • For this "clannishness" they were criticized by Anglo Americans, who resented their reluctance to abandon their native culture and assimilate with the dominant population.

    Academic text (1996)
  • The columns of the Georgia Gazette carried letters expressing concern about the spirit of exclusivity and clannishness of the new organization, fearful it would promote a dreaded "factionalism" in a relatively open society.

    Academic text (2007)
  • His clannishness made it difficult for new members to feel welcome in the group.

Synonyms

tribalism
vsclannishness
12 7.0

A strong loyalty and shared way of life in a small social group

is mainly a social tendency to stay close and avoid outsiders
exclusiveness
vsclannishness
1 6.8

Limiting who can join to a small, chosen group

is about preferring close association rather than merely limiting membership
cliquishness
vsclannishness
1 9.3

A habit of spending time only with a small group and ignoring others

is broader, applying to any particular group rather than tiny select circles
communalism
vsclannishness
1 9.2

An idea that people put their ethnic or religious group before the whole society

is a general social tendency to stay close and avoid outsiders
clubbiness
vsclannishness
7.2

Friendly behaviour in a small group that excludes outsiders

is about preferring close association rather than friendly internal sociability

Antonyms

22 3.5

Being honest and clear about your actions and intentions

Making everyone feel welcome and treating them fairly

How Exclusive

insularity
2 9.4
clannishness
8.6
closeness
26 2.8
friendliness
16 1.0

Surface Forms

clannishness singular

Morphology

clannishness = clannish (transparent) = clan + ish + ness

Formed by clannish (clan + -ish) + -ness; meaning is directly the quality of being clannish.

Etymology

Clannishness comes from clan, a Gaelic word meaning 'children' or 'family', plus -ish meaning 'like' and -ness that makes a noun. So clannishness is the tendency to stick with your own family or small group and avoid outsiders.