1
as in harlequins
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 bastards
a person whose behavior is offensive to others
you should stay away from that clown
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of clowns
Charlie Vargas, Oc Register, 12 Sep. 2025
Strangely, all the clowns with Ukraine flags 🇺🇦 🇺🇦 🇺🇦 in their bio are also all silent on this one.
—Amanda Castro
hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
The sheriff threatens to arrest Morticia on account of aiding and abetting a murderer, but Gomez points out that these clowns (the cops) abandoned Nevermore to protect Normies at Pilgrim World.
—Jessica M. Goldstein, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
Nothing sends chills down your spine like evil clowns, undead monsters and a filthy car.
—Charlie Vargas, Oc Register, 12 Sep. 2025
Strangely, all the clowns with Ukraine flags 🇺🇦 🇺🇦 🇺🇦 in their bio are also all silent on this one.
—Amanda Castro
hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
The sheriff threatens to arrest Morticia on account of aiding and abetting a murderer, but Gomez points out that these clowns (the cops) abandoned Nevermore to protect Normies at Pilgrim World.
—Jessica M. Goldstein, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clowns
Noun
-
But times have changed, and this team of buffoons is forced to grapple with changing industry ethics and sensationalist journalism in its transition, all while Ron faces an identity crisis that challenges his bravado, his massive ego.—
Travis Bean,
Forbes.com,
22 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The mechanism feels smooth and sturdy—no awkward jerks or wobbles.—
Zoë Sessums,
Architectural Digest,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Life is too short to work with jerks.—
Shayne Fitz-Coy,
Forbes.com,
13 Aug. 2025
Noun
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All of this points toward a dystopian future where late-night comedians are banned because no one is allowed to poke fun at the president, regardless of who is in office.—
Jesse Edwards,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 Sep. 2025
-
Trump hates being laughed at, and comedians who once enjoyed the armor of celebrity are finding that their corporate employers would rather sacrifice the First Amendment than risk retaliation.—
Jonathan Blitzer,
New Yorker,
20 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The man says his next step may be to approach the dogs' owner with an offer of money to remove them from their current situation and find them a proper home.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Designers Rachel Antonoff and Susan Korn—who hosted their second annual Best in Show runway, which paired adoptable dogs with human models—also welcome children.—
Hannah Jackson,
Vogue,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
There are high columns crawling with ivy, nearly 12 acres of rolling lawns, teensy windows with teensy shutters, and a diminutive pool house that apes a fairy-tale cottage.—
Adriane Quinlan,
Curbed,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
These jokers in Indianapolis acting the fool.—
Chris Sims,
IndyStar,
27 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Rabies can be found in many other wildlife species, including raccoons, skunks, coyotes and foxes.—
Katia Hetter,
CNN Money,
18 Sep. 2025
-
After World War I, fur remained a status garment, though lower-cost furs like skunk, mole, and musquash entered mainstream winter wear.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Rabies can be found in many other wildlife species, including raccoons, skunks, coyotes and foxes.—
Katia Hetter,
CNN Money,
18 Sep. 2025
-
After World War I, fur remained a status garment, though lower-cost furs like skunk, mole, and musquash entered mainstream winter wear.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Clowns.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clowns. Accessed 22 Sep. 2025.
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