close-knit

adjective

ˈklōs-ˈnit How to pronounce close-knit (audio)
Definition of close-knitnext
as in friendly
bound together by feelings of very close association a close-knit family that constantly keeps in touch

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of close-knit There were many kinds of shtetls, depending on their geographic and political context, but all were characterized by having a concentrated and close-knit Jewish settlement. — Jordana Rosenfeld, Encyclopedia Britannica, 5 June 2026 Her family was, and is, close-knit. — Andre Mouchard, Daily News, 9 May 2026 Local neighborhoods are so close-knit that everyone knows each other, said Allison Buell, a teacher and coach in Hammond. — Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 11 Apr. 2026 Leading this loud and lovingly close-knit multigenerational family is Suga Mama (Jo Marie Payton), the feisty grandma and matriarch. — Lynnette Nicholas, Parents, 6 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for close-knit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for close-knit
  1. friendly
  2. clannish
  3. cliquish
  4. familiar
  5. cliquey
  6. close
  7. intimate
Adjective
  • Next-level attentiveness from friendly staff certainly helps.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Oct. 2026
  • But certain corners of the site hold up well, particularly bedroom storage and budget-friendly outdoor furniture.
    — Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of friendly
Adjective
  • The Machine was lambasted, fairly, for its clannish coördination and its efforts to keep Democratic politics in a certain mainstream style.
    — Nathan Heller, New Yorker, 1 June 2026
  • In the Middle Ages, local churchgoers whispered of clannish Jews poisoning wells to kill Christian children and steal their blood for their rituals.
    — Mike Rothschild, Big Think, 31 Mar. 2026
Definition of clannish
Adjective
  • Alexandra Pechman’s feature debut drops Lily McInerny’s Nora into the cliquish literary world of 2011, where an internship at a taste-making magazine means reading the slush pile, fetching coffee, and navigating exclusive parties.
    — John Ross, Vanity Fair, 10 Sep. 2026
  • Whitehead wanted to write, but workshops rejected him and the cliquish undergraduate literary scene put him off.
    — Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 22 June 2026
Definition of cliquish
Adjective
  • The New York Yankees face an all-too-familiar 2-0 deficit in the postseason, largely due to an all-too-familiar mind-numbing facet of the team.
    — Ryan Morik OutKick, FOXNews.com, 6 Oct. 2026
  • The 1,800-square-foot layout was configured to work harder without sacrificing familiar sight lines.
    — Kristen Flanagan, Architectural Digest, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of familiar
Adjective
  • The middle daughter of the family has always felt outside of its cliquey confines, what with Lizzy and Jane forming such a pair and Kitty and Lydia (Molly Wright and Grace Hogg-Robinson) practically sharing a brain.
    — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 6 May 2026
  • The Friends set was notorious for being cliquey and insular.
    — Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 19 Sep. 2025
Definition of cliquey
Adjective
  • The first five conditions describe any lasting affectionate bond, such as a close friendship.
    — Pascal Vrticka, Scientific American, 4 Oct. 2026
  • While formally a candidate for European Union membership, Serbia’s accession process has stalled under Vucic, who maintains close ties with Russia and China.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of close
Adjective
  • Their directorial feature debut provides an intimate look behind the scenes of a film set of legendary British director and gay rights activist Derek Jarman, including such famous names as Tilda Swinton and costume designer Sandy Powell.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Although the restaurant downstairs might be the main attraction, those looking for an intimate, lavish escape are hard-pressed to find anything more decadent than The Witchery's nine suites.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of intimate

Browse Nearby Words

close in (on)
close-knit
closely
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Close-knit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/close-knit. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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