1. involving sexual relations between closely related family members
Usage: clinical/legal term
2. characterized by excessive closeness or insularity within a group
Usage: figurative use

Examples

• The novel explored the dark secrets of an incestuous family.
• Laws prohibit incestuous marriages in most countries.
• The company had an incestuous culture where only insiders were promoted.
• Critics called the art world incestuous, with the same people judging each other’s work.
• The small town’s incestuous social circles made it hard for newcomers to fit in.
• The incestuous relationship between the media and politicians concerned many voters.