as in friendly
bound together by feelings of very close association
a close-knit family that constantly keeps in touch
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Recent Examples of close-knit
Sosa previously revealed that the former DWTS partners — who remained close-knit on social media in the months following Delvey's exit from the show — were on the rocks last fall.
—
Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 19 Apr. 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
The family is close-knit, intrusive, rude and menacing.
—Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 31 Mar. 2026
The Bediako case is a nice counterexample to the favoritism argument; the first judge stepped aside when his relationship with the university, or at least the coverage and commentary surrounding it, was too close-knit to be ignored, and the second judge ruled against his alma mater.
—Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2026
The Bruins begin the season with a versatile and close-knit roster, Grant said.
—Anthony Solorzano, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2026
Milwaukee feels more compact and close-knit, in some cases.
—Jr Radcliffe, jsonline.com, 9 Jan. 2026
Friends and neighbors described the family as quiet and close-knit, and authorities have said there is no indication Loureiro anticipated any threat.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 26 Dec. 2025
Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 19 Apr. 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
The family is close-knit, intrusive, rude and menacing.
—Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 31 Mar. 2026
The Bediako case is a nice counterexample to the favoritism argument; the first judge stepped aside when his relationship with the university, or at least the coverage and commentary surrounding it, was too close-knit to be ignored, and the second judge ruled against his alma mater.
—Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2026
The Bruins begin the season with a versatile and close-knit roster, Grant said.
—Anthony Solorzano, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2026
Milwaukee feels more compact and close-knit, in some cases.
—Jr Radcliffe, jsonline.com, 9 Jan. 2026
Friends and neighbors described the family as quiet and close-knit, and authorities have said there is no indication Loureiro anticipated any threat.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 26 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for close-knit
Adjective
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The shows are accompanied by similar drops in ad revenue and increasing production costs, an ongoing shift to digital viewership, political constraints and publicity-friendly interview questions.—
Rick Kogan,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
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Putin presided over a parade that featured hardware such as the Geran-2, the Russian version of Iran’s Shahed drone, and played host to friendly leaders including Chinese President Xi Jinping.—
Nathan Hodge,
CNN Money,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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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
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The flood of immigrants who settled in the area were a motley crew – clannish Scandinavians, Germans, Irish Catholics escaping famine, Yankees from New England, Black refugees from the segregated South, Mexican workers seeking a better life.—
Harry Boyte,
Twin Cities,
8 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Doral Police Chief Edwin Lopez is a lead contender to replace Morales, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter.—
Verónica Egui Brito,
Miami Herald,
30 Apr. 2026
-
This takes the Hylian magic of Nintendo’s long-running RPG game and brings it to the modern gamer in ways both familiar and unique.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The Friends set was notorious for being cliquey and insular.—
Shamira Ibrahim,
Vulture,
19 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Because the Celtics, provided they close-out the 76ers, have the kind of shooters the Hawks don’t.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
29 Apr. 2026
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Qatar could deepen its already close defense ties to Turkey, and China, which is close to Iran, could play a greater diplomatic role.—
Sudarsan Raghavan,
New Yorker,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Guests sail aboard intimate expedition ships while historians and specialists lead lectures and discussions focused on regional history, maritime heritage and cultural context.—
Malika Bowling,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2026
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If flexibility is key, Mother’s Day also includes The Salon at Ômo, the restaurant’s intimate living-room–style lounge.—
Amy Drew Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Close-knit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/close-knit. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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