as in clowning
wildly playful or mischievous behavior
it was clownery like that that resulted in an expensive vase being broken
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of clownery
Tirhakah Love is a senior writer at New York Magazine and the host of the new evening newsletter Dinner Party, a daily email that touches on all things entertainment — that means film, television, music, tech, and gaming — plus politics and corporate clownery.
—
Vulture, 29 Apr. 2022
The Winx Club live action is a big clownery!
—Olivia Truffaut-Wong, refinery29.com, 25 Jan. 2021
Allow Yahya Abdul-Mateen II to clarify his remarks about Aquaman being the work of clowns with… some clownery.
—Jessica Wang, EW.com, 1 Sep. 2022
As for Abdul-Mateen, the clownery will resume for him on Broadway.
—Jessica Wang, EW.com, 1 Sep. 2022
Chronicle Books In the world of clownery, tradition has long dictated that a clown must never steal another clown’s look.
—Constance Grady, Vox, 20 Aug. 2018
Seems as if the airlines are still clowning and being targeted with lawsuits because of the clownery.
—Breanna Edwards, The Root, 14 May 2018
DeVos, the country’s most useless white woman and a case study for how institutions both favor and are eroded by white mediocrity, became the literal face of clownery following the appalling interview.
—Anne Branigin, The Root, 12 Mar. 2018
Either one of his performances would have been noteworthy, but that the same person should be playing both parts (as well as that of Mr. Wickham) is a truly stupendous piece of quick-change clownery.
—Terry Teachout, WSJ, 6 July 2017
Vulture, 29 Apr. 2022
The Winx Club live action is a big clownery!
—Olivia Truffaut-Wong, refinery29.com, 25 Jan. 2021
Allow Yahya Abdul-Mateen II to clarify his remarks about Aquaman being the work of clowns with… some clownery.
—Jessica Wang, EW.com, 1 Sep. 2022
As for Abdul-Mateen, the clownery will resume for him on Broadway.
—Jessica Wang, EW.com, 1 Sep. 2022
Chronicle Books In the world of clownery, tradition has long dictated that a clown must never steal another clown’s look.
—Constance Grady, Vox, 20 Aug. 2018
Seems as if the airlines are still clowning and being targeted with lawsuits because of the clownery.
—Breanna Edwards, The Root, 14 May 2018
DeVos, the country’s most useless white woman and a case study for how institutions both favor and are eroded by white mediocrity, became the literal face of clownery following the appalling interview.
—Anne Branigin, The Root, 12 Mar. 2018
Either one of his performances would have been noteworthy, but that the same person should be playing both parts (as well as that of Mr. Wickham) is a truly stupendous piece of quick-change clownery.
—Terry Teachout, WSJ, 6 July 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clownery
Noun
-
His is a sort of erudite buffoonery that consistently tap-dances between clever, self-aware, and patently stupid.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
22 Mar. 2025
-
There is, in fact, real stagecraft along with the buffoonery.—
Susan B. Glasser,
The New Yorker,
20 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Another aspect to note is that the AI didn’t ridicule me or otherwise play any tomfoolery about my need for assistance.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
5 Apr. 2025
-
This isn't the first case of April Fools' tomfoolery from BabyQuip.—
Mike Snider,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The action anime feature for everyone who couldn’t get enough of the horseplay in The Two Towers has finally cantered onto Max.—
Savannah Salazar,
Vulture,
1 Mar. 2025
-
Mike Vrabel’s back And the horseplay is going to stop, apparently.—
Josh Kendall,
The Athletic,
11 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
The brand’s monkey business button-up collared shirt was worn by Blackpink’s Lisa in one of the opening scenes of the premiere episode.—
Julia Teti,
WWD,
19 Feb. 2025
-
No side bets with them or other monkey business!—
Brady Dale,
Axios,
11 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Clownery.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clownery. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share