Synonyms for clique

noun

clique refers to a small, highly exclusive group, often within a larger one, and implies snobbery, selfishness, or, sometimes, intrigue high-school cliques; coterie is a small, intimate, somewhat select group of people associated for social or other reasons a literary coterie; circle suggests any group of people having in common some particular interest or pursuit in music circles; set refers to a group, usually larger and, hence, less exclusive than a coterie, having a common background, interests, social status, etc. the sporting set