1
as in boorishness
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2
as in buffoonery
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Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clownishness
Noun
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Stewart’s switch from his usual snark to imitate Colbert’s buffoonery proved how spiteful and irreligious political humor has become since the left’s worship of Barack Obama and subsequent persecution of President Trump.—
Armond White,
National Review,
25 July 2025 -
The other person who spoke in South Carolina, Tim Walz, is a special mixture of extreme buffoonery and a mean spirit, which is a toxic brew.—
Jenny Goldsberry,
The Washington Examiner,
1 June 2025
Noun
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But the current moment, typified by stars like Chappell Roan, Sabrina Carpenter, and Charli XCX, tends to be about showcasing one’s sexuality ironically, or with an acid flippancy, or from behind a mask, or with a certain cool stance of meta control.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
7 June 2025
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But the flippancy of the phrase belies the detailed precision with which the Sky plan to manufacture 3-point looks.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
10 May 2025
Noun
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With her typical insouciance, however, Jones ignored the advice and went on with the show.—
Time,
Time,
10 July 2025
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But there is something wry and resigned lurking behind those chord changes, an insouciance to Dorian’s vocals, that suggests something deeper and bigger brewing — the sound of a fairly labyrinthine songwriting mind just starting to awaken to its potential.—
Jayson Greene,
Vulture,
30 May 2025
Noun
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The Trump era is one of indelicacy, profanity, and real—not imagined—misogyny, and its flacks deserve a language that matches up.—
Josephine Livingstone,
The New Republic,
5 June 2018
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Trump added, seemingly referring to the indelicacy of directly attacking a war hero who is fighting brain cancer.—
Callum Borchers,
Washington Post,
28 Feb. 2018
Noun
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The fastidious formality of Monsieur Gustave H. exists right alongside his matter-of-fact vulgarity, a combination that Fiennes nails with astounding precision.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
12 June 2025
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Robert Rhoads, Oakland Park Politicians and vulgarities Your front-page article on the use of expletives by U.S.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
7 July 2025
Noun
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But Shelly will still go on about the crudity of newer shows in town, insisting that Razzle Dazzle has an elegant French tone.—
Tom Gliatto,
People.com,
10 Jan. 2025
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And, while its crudity is certainly purposeful, its sense of purpose can be elusive at times.—
Phillip Maciak,
The New Republic,
28 Mar. 2023
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Cite this Entry
“Clownishness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clownishness. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
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