What does cliquism mean?
Cliquism refers to the tendency to form or favour small, exclusive circles within a larger community — workplaces, schools, clubs, or political bodies — and to give preference to their members while excluding others. The word derives from 'clique', a compact, closed-knit group, and adds the suffix '-ism' to name the practice or mindset rather than the group itself. It is inherently pejorative: to accuse an organisation of cliquism is to charge it with favouritism, insularity, and unfair gatekeeping. The term appears most often in formal commentary on institutional culture — reviews of office dynamics, critiques of literary or political circles, and discussions of school social life. A related adjective, 'cliquish', describes the groups or people who display this quality. Though never among the most frequent words in English, cliquism fills a precise niche, naming a social phenomenon that shorter words like 'bias' or 'favouritism' do not capture as exactly.
nounThe practice or tendency of forming small, exclusive groups that exclude outsiders; the spirit or behaviour characteristic of a clique.
- The tendency to form or favour small exclusive groups, often at the expense of outsiders or broader cooperation.
"The department's culture of cliquism left new hires feeling permanently shut out of key decisions."
"Critics accused the committee of cliquism, noting that every major project went to the same handful of members."
"In her memoir, she describes how boarding-school cliquism shaped social hierarchies for years."
Rarely pluralised; the uncountable singular is standard, though a plural may appear when referring to instances across different settings.
"The essay surveys the various cliquisms of twentieth-century literary London."
Cliquism turns 'us' into a weapon — it names the habit of building tiny inner circles whose main purpose is keeping everyone else out.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of cliquism
Cliquism is formed from 'clique', a word borrowed from French in the early 18th century, where it denoted a small exclusive set of people; its deeper origins are obscure, though it may be linked to a French verb imitating a sharp sound. The suffix '-ism' was appended in the 19th century to create an abstract noun naming the practice of clique-forming. Its closest relative is 'cliquish', the adjectival form describing those who exhibit such exclusivity.
Related word forms
How cliquism is actually used
A formal, somewhat literary term, more common in British writing and in commentary on institutions, workplaces, and politics than in casual speech. It carries an inherently negative connotation, implying unfair exclusion or favouritism.
Easily confused with cliquism
A clique is the exclusive group itself, while cliquism is the practice or attitude of forming and favouring such groups.