1
as in harlequin
a comically dressed performer (as at a circus) who entertains with playful tricks and ridiculous behavior
a clown wearing big floppy shoes and a red wig
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in bastard
a person whose behavior is offensive to others
you should stay away from that clown
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of clown
Simon Sebag Montefiore,
The Atlantic,
28 June 2026
Up until his first day of filming Jackass, Steve-O was a clown in nightclubs, cruise ships and at a flea-market circus.
—
Yamillah Hurtado,
PEOPLE,
23 June 2026
Caitlin Huston,
HollywoodReporter,
16 Apr. 2026
People used to clown Compton ’cause the high school mascot is Tarbabes.
—
Preezy Brown,
VIBE.com,
12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for clown
Noun
The only leaders more buffoonish and lethal than the fairground hucksters elected in our failing democracies are the omnipotent clowns of tyranny.
—
Simon Sebag Montefiore,
The Atlantic,
28 June 2026
Up until his first day of filming Jackass, Steve-O was a clown in nightclubs, cruise ships and at a flea-market circus.
—
Yamillah Hurtado,
PEOPLE,
23 June 2026
Verb
In the fall, the nonprofit theatre company will stage The Imaginary Invalid, a 17th-century comedy about hypochondria, reimagined by the actor and clown, Bill Irwin, and directed by Brandon Dirden, who appeared on Broadway in this season’s Waiting For Godot.
—
Caitlin Huston,
HollywoodReporter,
16 Apr. 2026
People used to clown Compton ’cause the high school mascot is Tarbabes.
—
Preezy Brown,
VIBE.com,
12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for clown
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clown
Noun
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Colorado potato beetles target potato plants, while harlequin beetles do damage to brassica family plants like kale, cauliflower, cabbage, and broccoli.
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For the event, Kaling donned a strapless Elie Saab gown covered in crystal embroidery, which included a harlequin pattern and a sheer skirt.
Noun
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For instance, there are glazed pork belly chunks served on crispy tostones, tuna tataki with a jerk-spice rub, and a bright, citrusy conch salad.
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Learn how to cook lionfish ceviche, jerk chicken, and more with a group of like-minded people from all over the world, concluding with an alfresco feast—a true one-of-a-kind connection between strangers.
Verb
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Set amid the aftermath of the Spanish Civil War, the tragic tale of Ofelia (Ivana Baquero) is famous for allowing real nightmares to masquerade as bloody fairytales.
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What’s worrying to him is that abundance can masquerade as sufficiency.
Verb
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Everything is cut up and put together through chance operations into what Cage called a Musicircus.
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During the matchup, Jeter dove into the stands in the top of the 12th inning to catch a foul ball, emerging from the crowd cut up and bruised.
Noun
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Lasso, in his initial introduction to audiences, wasn’t the warm, pun-loving, inspirational coach audiences would eventually embrace through Apple +, but a slightly arrogant buffoon parodying the average American sports fan.
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There's the aforementioned spinoff — which aired on NBC after debuting on Peacock — and The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins, the great new comedy in which Tracy Morgan plays a buffoon who isn't that dissimilar from Michael Scott.
Noun
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This cot-style find is made of breathable mesh fabric to keep your dog cool, and the steel frame features skid-resistant feet.
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Their dog was found alive, which gave the younger Eliezer Alfonzo hope.
Verb
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Ficarra is a brilliant clown — his part is all miming — and also the most level-headed of these characters.
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Müldür immediately ran off towards the assistant referee, pointing at Almirón and miming the action the Atlanta United forward had done.
Verb
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Ortiz navigated past 17 other horses around the final turn and made a hard charge down the stretch.
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Ortiz navigated past 17 other horses around the final turn and made a hard charge down the stretch.
Cite this Entry
“Clown.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clown. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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