1. the quality or state of being cliquish; the tendency to form exclusive groups and exclude outsiders
Usage: uncountable; typically used in negative contexts

Examples

• The cliquishness of the popular group made it difficult for new students to make friends.
• Teachers tried to reduce cliquishness in the classroom by assigning mixed-group projects.
• The club's cliquishness discouraged many talented people from joining.
• She complained about the cliquishness of the office, where certain employees always ate lunch together.
• The school worked to combat cliquishness by promoting inclusive social events.
• His cliquishness meant he only spent time with his original group of friends.