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
2
as in to cut up
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of clown
Victoria Edel, People.com, 18 Mar. 2025
Caro Stowell of Thomasville was dressed up like a clown.
—Sarah D. Wire, USA Today, 5 Apr. 2025
Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025
His cousin Janay said the father of four was a ladies man who liked to clown around and make people happy.
—Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 31 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clown
Noun
Fogelman said that, at the time, his assistant Jake suggested cheering her up by sending her a clown.
—Victoria Edel, People.com, 18 Mar. 2025
Caro Stowell of Thomasville was dressed up like a clown.
—Sarah D. Wire, USA Today, 5 Apr. 2025
Verb
Rachel Brosnahan, Nicholas Hoult and David Corenswet clowned around onstage during the Superman presentation at CinemaCon.
—Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025
His cousin Janay said the father of four was a ladies man who liked to clown around and make people happy.
—Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 31 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clown
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clown
Noun
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Learn more about management options and which food plants are most susceptible to this insect in our harlequin bug on vegetables web page.—
Miri Talabac,
Baltimore Sun,
16 Apr. 2025
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Once infused with the diabolical spirit, the guide is transformed into a buffoon, complete with a harlequin outfit—a mad joker and a dancing fool who does a little jig to the sound of a jazz trio.—
Richard Brody,
The New Yorker,
11 Mar. 2025
Verb
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His approach emphasizes the importance of doing fewer things at a natural pace and shifting away from hyper-visible activity that often masquerades as productivity.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
14 Apr. 2025
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The next generation will not inherit a society built on genuine understanding and progress, but one defined by ideological extremism masquerading as compassion.—
Kevin Waldman,
Twin Cities,
10 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Consider cutting up their food or serving easy-to-eat foods like smoothies.—
Smita Patel,
Verywell Health,
15 Apr. 2025
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Skrillex has never restricted his distension of sonic materials to merely supersizing his bass lines, and among other things, the voices on this album are routinely phased and retuned and cut up.—
Michaelangelo Matos,
Rolling Stone,
1 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Once infused with the diabolical spirit, the guide is transformed into a buffoon, complete with a harlequin outfit—a mad joker and a dancing fool who does a little jig to the sound of a jazz trio.—
Richard Brody,
The New Yorker,
11 Mar. 2025
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Washington has become the court of Nero: an incendiary emperor, submissive courtiers, and a buffoon on ketamine tasked with purging the civil service.—
Claude Malhuret,
The Atlantic,
8 Mar. 2025
Noun
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But this Ron Howard was an alternate universe version of Ron Howard, who instead of being notoriously nice, is sort of a jerk.—
Esther Zuckerman,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Apr. 2025
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Someone actually just said to me that all the men in the book are jerks.—
Gal Beckerman,
The Atlantic,
7 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Jenna Bush Hager and Husband Henry Say Son Hal, 5, Is ‘Jealous of Our Romance’ — and Will Start Crying When His Parents Kiss Munn could be seen laughing and miming locking her lips.—
Hannah Sacks,
People.com,
3 Apr. 2025
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Angus and Elsbeth hit it off right away, moving quickly from miming to speaking on the phone.—
Sophie Brookover,
Vulture,
13 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Quit horsing around — the Clydesdales are back!—
Breanne L. Heldman,
People.com,
10 Feb. 2025
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In the video, Payne is shown horsing around with a large outdoor crowd and his bandmates, encouraging the fans to quiet their screaming and then raise the volume all the way back up.—
Clare Mulroy,
USA TODAY,
3 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Trump sued Maher in 2013 for $5 million after the comedian made a crass joke about his mother and an orangutan.—
Steff Danielle Thomas,
The Hill,
19 Apr. 2025
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Netflix is once again hosting a showcase of up-and-coming comedians for its annual Netflix Is a Joke Festival.—
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
18 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Clown.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clown. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.
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