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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of clown
Nick Romano, EW.com, 20 May 2025
Like its namesake suggests, Clown in a Cornfield involves a clown named Frendo terrorizing some kids in a small town.
—Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 12 May 2025
Mackenzie Cummings-Grady, Billboard, 14 Apr. 2025
The alternating worlds are meant to be playful, but Toontown especially gets exhausting quickly, with characters mugging, clowning and amplifying every limp punchline.
—Frank Rizzo, Variety, 8 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clown
Noun
Bill Skarsgård returns to play Pennywise, the demonic clown that serves as It's most frequently used guise.
—Nick Romano, EW.com, 20 May 2025
Like its namesake suggests, Clown in a Cornfield involves a clown named Frendo terrorizing some kids in a small town.
—Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 12 May 2025
Verb
On Sunday, Ja hopped on X to fire a few shots at 50 Cent, who clowned Ja’s appearance on The Breakfast Club last week.
—Mackenzie Cummings-Grady, Billboard, 14 Apr. 2025
The alternating worlds are meant to be playful, but Toontown especially gets exhausting quickly, with characters mugging, clowning and amplifying every limp punchline.
—Frank Rizzo, Variety, 8 Apr. 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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But that sounds more like a corporate cost-cutting threat just masquerading as historical inevitability.—
Michael Serazio,
Time,
28 May 2025
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Trailing 1-0, nothing summed it up so well as Harry Maguire masquerading as a forward again, a Hail Mary that can only work so often.—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
22 May 2025
Verb
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The mower can cut up to a full acre on a single charge.—
Christopher Murray
may earn a commission if you buy through our referral links. This content was created by a team that works independently from the Fox newsroom.,
FOXNews.com,
2 June 2025
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Old towels cut up into rags do a great job of removing this soft flux once the copper pipe is cool enough to touch.—
Tim Carter,
Hartford Courant,
31 May 2025
Noun
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Read: Comedy’s most erudite buffoon Mulaney has many advantages at Netflix that his conventional-television peers don’t, however.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
7 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
Noun
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As part of Gabriel’s solution to showing Ansari’s character that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side of the Hollywood, the well-meaning angel body-swaps him with an uber-rich jerk, played by Seth Rogen.—
Charisma Madarang,
Rolling Stone,
28 May 2025
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The left horse just wanted to shamble along, while the right horse pulled with frantic jerks.—
Louise Erdrich,
New Yorker,
25 May 2025
Verb
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One of the others mimed palming the girl’s rear while the third snapped a photo.—
Dan Greene,
New Yorker,
26 May 2025
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Through clowning and miming, Neill tries to eat a cupcake with a dog collar on, play the guitar and face his own fears — even encouraging the audience to hurl insults at him during one part of the show.—
Patrick Connolly,
The Orlando Sentinel,
15 May 2025
Verb
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Four people are facing charges in Louisiana for horsing around in a small-town Walmart last week. Video that was posted on TikTok and went viral on social media showed three men and a teenage boy riding horses through the business in Baker, Louisiana.—
Elizabeth Pritchett,
FOXNews.com,
16 Apr. 2025
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Quit horsing around — the Clydesdales are back!—
Breanne L. Heldman,
People.com,
10 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Their teammates on the night were comedian Jack Dee and Kelly Cates, one of the new presenters of Premier League highlights show Match of the Day.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
6 June 2025
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Mike Myers Prior to working for Combs, Mia worked as a personal assistant for comedian Mike Myers.—
Jenna Sundel
Joshua Rhett Miller,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Clown.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clown. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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