clownish

adjective clown·ish \ ˈklau̇-nish \

Updated on: 20 Mar 2018

Definition of clownish

: resembling or befitting a clown (as in ignorance and lack of sophistication)

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clownishly

adverb

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clownishness

noun

See clownish defined for English-language learners

Examples of clownish in a Sentence

the clownish antics of some of the teenagers at the wedding reception

Recent Examples of clownish from the Web

Annie’s death, her murder, has never been seriously investigated by the Baltimore Police Department — not in the initial homicide investigation, and not in the clownish cold-case investigation in 2013.

— tom jackman, Washington Post, "Parents of Annie McCann, found dead in Baltimore of ‘Bactine poisoning,’ press Gov. Hogan to intervene," 6 Mar. 2018
The regular Republican Party of tax cuts for the rich and deregulation of polluters and the financial industry once seemed to be set apart from its clownish demagogue presidential candidate.

— jonathan chait, Daily Intelligencer, "How the Trump Tax Cuts Solved the Democrats’ Campaign Problem," 20 Dec. 2017
And a case in point of his something-for-everyone talents is exemplified in patterned shirt that takes a design that could be clownish in less capable hands (in this case polka dots) and blows it out (and up).

— GQ, "18 Ways to Upgrade Your Closet Right Now," 26 Oct. 2017
So will Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ clownish father, who needs his Twitter account burned alive at the stake.

— michael arceneaux, The Root, "Habanero Hitler Confirms the Obvious: Hillary Clinton’s Name Will Never Completely Go Away, Even if You Want it To," 20 Oct. 2017
Heck, even Anthony Scaramucci is moving to monetize his 10 days as the most clownish White House press secretary in history.

— michelle cottle, The Atlantic, "Accountability Is for Non-Celebrities," 21 Sep. 2017
The storied Batman villain, best portrayed by Heath Ledger in this 2012 film, has clownish roots that take a psychological and maniacal turn.

— kelly lawler, USA TODAY, "5 clown movies to binge-watch this weekend in honor of 'It'," 9 Sep. 2017
Giving up after 146 years because it’s been surpassed by the much-more-thrilling and clownish Washington circus.

— kevin cusick, Twin Cities, "The Loop Ten: 1-16-17," 16 Jan. 2017
That spirit apparently motivated many Trump voters, who didn’t mind that their tribune spoke in clownish generalities, possessed no relevant experience and exhibited an itchy trigger finger.

— franklin foer, New York Times, "Apocalypse Now: What’s Behind the Volatile Mood of Today’s American — and European — Voters," 13 Feb. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'clownish.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of clownish

1563

clownish Synonyms

Synonyms

boorish, churlish, classless, cloddish, loutish, uncouth;

Near Antonyms

couth, cultivated, polished, refined, sophisticated, well-bred;

classy, courtly, genteel, gentlemanly, ladylike;

civil, courteous, polite;

tasteless, vulgar;

beastly, bestial;

doltish, oafish, stupid;

discourteous, impolite, mannerless, rude, uncivil, ungracious, unmannerly;

awkward, ungainly;

Synonym Discussion of clownish

boorish, churlish, loutish, clownish mean uncouth in manners or appearance. boorish implies rudeness of manner due to insensitiveness to others' feelings and unwillingness to be agreeable.