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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of clown
Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 5 June 2025
After teasing the song on a Twitch livestream with the streamer Reggie, fans were quick to clown the pop star for trying to turn a lighthearted track into a soulful ballad.
—Mackenzie Cummings-Grady, Billboard, 22 May 2025
Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2025
Also, this was not a good week for billionaires as a socialist Muslim won a long-shot victory in the NYC Democratic primary, partly on the promise to raise taxes among the highest income earners, and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos starred in a clown show wedding in Venice.
—Paul Bedard, The Washington Examiner, 28 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for clown
Noun
The 52-year-old recently appeared in the Happy Gilmore 2 trailer and hilariously clowns Adam Sandler.
—Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 5 June 2025
After teasing the song on a Twitch livestream with the streamer Reggie, fans were quick to clown the pop star for trying to turn a lighthearted track into a soulful ballad.
—Mackenzie Cummings-Grady, Billboard, 22 May 2025
Verb
This morning’s must reads California For Subscribers Hit men on motorbikes, wearing clown masks: Armenian gang war roils San Fernando Valley
June 11, 2025
Other must reads
With FIFA World Cup one year away, fans and politicians still aren’t sure what to expect.
—Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2025
Also, this was not a good week for billionaires as a socialist Muslim won a long-shot victory in the NYC Democratic primary, partly on the promise to raise taxes among the highest income earners, and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos starred in a clown show wedding in Venice.
—Paul Bedard, The Washington Examiner, 28 June 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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Incidents of impostors masquerading as law enforcement have compounded the situation, along with rumors — so far unverified — that federal authorities have enlisted bounty hunters or private security contractors for immigration arrests.—
Libor Jany,
Los Angeles Times,
3 July 2025
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Leads: Fuel With A Dashboard, Not a Fire Hose Handing someone 1,000 internet leads without a success rate is cruelty masquerading as generosity.—
Daniel Ramsey,
Forbes.com,
3 July 2025
Verb
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Other parts of the plan to cut up to $37 million from TSU's budget include reductions in non-instructional staff that would save $6-7 million and instructional staff cuts that would account for another $5-6 million.—
Rachel Wegner,
The Tennessean,
2 July 2025
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National media reports in the last few weeks indicated Trump will dissolve the EPA's Office of Research and Development and cut up to 75% of its jobs.—
Scott Wartman,
The Enquirer,
2 July 2025
Noun
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Capaldi himself was a phenomenal Doctor, bringing that trademark blend of grizzled warrior and cosmic buffoon, but his episodes were a bit hit-and-miss.—
Richard Edwards,
Space.com,
29 May 2025
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Problematic to be sure, but also a very in-character move for an ignorant buffoon.—
Ben Rosenstock,
Time,
6 May 2025
Noun
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Lisa and Jody are mad that Larsa was a jerk at Jody’s birthday party.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
26 June 2025
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Based on my experience, labeling someone a contrarian is just an extremely polite way of calling out a person for being a jerk who’s obsessed with the sound of their own voice.—
Sherry Kuehl,
Kansas City Star,
25 June 2025
Verb
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Keeping things light, Springfield then mimed getting up to leave before sitting back with a smile.—
Shania Russell,
EW.com,
13 July 2025
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The insults soon devolve into sarcastically miming each other’s words like little kids.—
Jake Kring-Schreifels,
Time,
26 June 2025
Verb
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Running or horsing around with sparklers can also cause injuries and burns when users trip and fall.—
Justin Laube,
EverydayHealth.com,
2 July 2025
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Umberto Rispoli squeezed between horses around the top of the stretch and then rode Journalism to a tremendous rally.—
Baltimore Sun staff,
Baltimore Sun,
24 May 2025
Noun
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For Stalter, a stand-up comedian who became a go-to scene stealer on Hacks, Too Much proved to be an unexpected gift from Dunham, who wrote the female protagonist with Stalter’s voice in mind after discovering her videos on TikTok.—
Max Gao,
HollywoodReporter,
12 July 2025
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If nothing else, the comedians remain united by a common goal.—
Daniel Brown,
New York Times,
11 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Clown.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clown. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
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