as in clown
a comically dressed performer (as at a circus) who entertains with playful tricks and ridiculous behavior
the children at the birthday party giggled at the buffoon's silly tricks
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Recent Examples of buffoon
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
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
Adam Silver, once the model for league commissioners, is suddenly a buffoon?
—Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 19 Feb. 2025
The character with which I have been identified, that of the raucous buffoon, is merely a studied portrayal.
—Bill Wyman, Vulture, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for buffoon
Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2025
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
Adam Silver, once the model for league commissioners, is suddenly a buffoon?
—Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 19 Feb. 2025
The character with which I have been identified, that of the raucous buffoon, is merely a studied portrayal.
—Bill Wyman, Vulture, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for buffoon
Recent Examples of Synonyms for buffoon
clown
Noun
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Pepe the Frog became political, then hate symbol, during 2016 election The frog doodle in clown accessories that flashes in the video is known as Pepe the Frog, and its appearance in Trump's social media posts has sparked interest before.—
Kinsey Crowley,
USA Today,
22 July 2025
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Visitors can take part in the action at the on-site museum where 700 pieces of clown memorabilia are displayed in every nook and cranny, some even suspended from the ceiling.—
Rebecca Deurlein,
Southern Living,
22 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Buffoon.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/buffoon. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
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