clownish
adjective
clown·ish
ˈklau̇-nish 
: resembling or befitting a clown (as in ignorance and lack of sophistication)
clownishly
adverb
clownishness
noun
Synonyms
Examples of clownish in a Sentence
the clownish antics of some of the teenagers at the wedding reception
Recent Examples on the Web
On Thursday, after weeks spent in clownish limbo, House Republicans finally banded together and unanimously elected a speaker.
—
Alex Shephard, The New Republic, 26 Oct. 2023
The PJs portrayed The Black Struggle as a clownish depiction of daily life in a housing project.
—WIRED, 28 Sep. 2023
The 5th Circuit judges combine their clownish approach to the law with a clownish confusion over the federal rules of procedure they are bound to apply.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 27 Sep. 2023
Atlantic puffins — clownish seabirds with colorful bills and waddling gaits — had their second consecutive rebound year for fledgling chicks after suffering a catastrophic 2021, said scientists who monitor the birds.
—Patrick Whittle, BostonGlobe.com, 29 Aug. 2023
In the next scene, walking by a row of gray, forbidding houses and wearing a clownish version of a long black coat and top hat — the vivid costumes are by Catherine Zuber — Rigoletto is visibly shaken by a curse that’s just been leveled on him at the palace.
—New York Times, 2 Jan. 2022
The hollow threat by Trump, and his clownish statements about his love fest served, at best, to diminish the reputation of the U.S. around the world and, at worst, to signal that the U.S. was only a paper tiger, inviting North Korea’s further nuclear development.
—Marty Judge Community Voices Contributor, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Sep. 2020
He, too, was captured in clownish makeup — his character’s signature look — and a disheveled blazer as the two co-stars filmed a dynamic scene together.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 3 Apr. 2023
In early 2016, the ascent of such a clownish demagogue, a sleazy real-estate hustler who had only begun to reveal the full depths of his bigotry and authoritarian impulses, was a laugh line.
—David Remnick, The New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2023
See More
Alex Shephard, The New Republic, 26 Oct. 2023
The PJs portrayed The Black Struggle as a clownish depiction of daily life in a housing project.
—WIRED, 28 Sep. 2023
The 5th Circuit judges combine their clownish approach to the law with a clownish confusion over the federal rules of procedure they are bound to apply.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 27 Sep. 2023
Atlantic puffins — clownish seabirds with colorful bills and waddling gaits — had their second consecutive rebound year for fledgling chicks after suffering a catastrophic 2021, said scientists who monitor the birds.
—Patrick Whittle, BostonGlobe.com, 29 Aug. 2023
In the next scene, walking by a row of gray, forbidding houses and wearing a clownish version of a long black coat and top hat — the vivid costumes are by Catherine Zuber — Rigoletto is visibly shaken by a curse that’s just been leveled on him at the palace.
—New York Times, 2 Jan. 2022
The hollow threat by Trump, and his clownish statements about his love fest served, at best, to diminish the reputation of the U.S. around the world and, at worst, to signal that the U.S. was only a paper tiger, inviting North Korea’s further nuclear development.
—Marty Judge Community Voices Contributor, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Sep. 2020
He, too, was captured in clownish makeup — his character’s signature look — and a disheveled blazer as the two co-stars filmed a dynamic scene together.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 3 Apr. 2023
In early 2016, the ascent of such a clownish demagogue, a sleazy real-estate hustler who had only begun to reveal the full depths of his bigotry and authoritarian impulses, was a laugh line.
—David Remnick, The New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'clownish.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1563, in the meaning defined above
Articles Related to clownish
Dictionary Entries Near clownish
Cite this Entry
“Clownish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clownish. Accessed 9 Dec. 2023.
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