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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of buffoon
Pepper-like buffoon and the style is best described as a blend of Monty Python and Howard Zinn.
—
Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 15 June 2025
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
Dylan Maxwell could easily have been an unsympathetic buffoon, but there’s a distinct love for (and in most cases, an appreciation of) the people behind the teen archetypes on display.
—Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 20 May 2025
Problematic to be sure, but also a very in-character move for an ignorant buffoon.
—Ben Rosenstock, Time, 6 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for buffoon
Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 15 June 2025
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
Dylan Maxwell could easily have been an unsympathetic buffoon, but there’s a distinct love for (and in most cases, an appreciation of) the people behind the teen archetypes on display.
—Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 20 May 2025
Problematic to be sure, but also a very in-character move for an ignorant buffoon.
—Ben Rosenstock, Time, 6 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for buffoon
Recent Examples of Synonyms for buffoon
clown
Noun
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This guy might be single-handedly responsible for generations of people having an irrational fear of clowns.—
Steven Thrash,
Entertainment Weekly,
24 Oct. 2025
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Unlike past attempts at fictionalizing his life, Macmanus barely touches on the fact that Gacy had a hobby of dressing up like a clown, and doesn’t show any actual murders in the series.—
Elisabeth Garber-Paul,
Rolling Stone,
24 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Buffoon.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/buffoon. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
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