Coterie Exclusive Noun Small Select Group People Associate

Coterie has a similar meaning to cabal but without the added sense of secrecy and the connotation of treachery. For example: “A tightknit coterie of presidential advisors made all the important decisions in the administration.”

Synonyms and related words for coterie include sisterhood or brotherhood, society, troop, sect (often used to identify a religious group that may be exclusive and may deviate from mainstream religious traditions), faction (often a dissentious unit within a larger group), clique (a snobby, exclusive group), band, ring, circle, cadre, gang, and clan.

"a coterie of friends and advisers"