inner circle

noun

: a small group of people who lead a government or an organization or who are close to its leader
The President has an inner circle of advisers.

Examples of inner circle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The sentences at the Fourth Criminal Court in Damascus are the first against Assad or members of his inner circle since the Assad family’s five decades in power came to an end 20 months ago. CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2026 The sentences at the Fourth Criminal Court in Damascus are the first against Assad or members of his inner circle since the Assad family's five decades in power came to an end 20 months ago. FOXNews.com, 11 Aug. 2026 Citing abusive conditions, some members of her inner circle quit. Zander Sherman, Rolling Stone, 7 Aug. 2026 The bipartisan bill, passed 86 to11, targets nations buying Russian oil and gas, expands sanctions on Putin’s inner circle and energy sector, and seeks to choke off Moscow’s war financing. Mary Clare Jalonick, Los Angeles Times, 7 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for inner circle

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Inner circle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inner%20circle. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster