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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In the video, Dunne is seen miming the words from a table at Pitt’s restaurant in Brooklyn as pasta, bread, and wine make the rounds (alas, there’s no visible clams).—
Joseph Hudak,
Rolling Stone,
11 June 2025
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Someone inevitably ends up acting out a pineapple or accidentally miming their entire life story.—
Tribune Content Agency,
Mercury News,
3 June 2025
Verb
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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
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Fayetteville Sad Palomino’s Will King releases a collection of home recordings In between horsing around with his longtime band Sad Palomino, Will King has been recording and trying to decide the best way to share songs, mostly written during winters from 2020 to 2025.—
Monica Hooper,
Arkansas Online,
25 May 2025
Noun
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As Pride Month 2025 comes to a close, a new couple just took to Instagram to make their relationship official: movie star Elliot Page and Overcompensating actor and comedian Julia Shiplett.—
Elizabeth Logan,
Glamour,
30 June 2025
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The legendary actor, director, comedian and producer, who turns 99 on June 28, 2025, kicked off his career in comedy by helping fellow funnyman Sid Caesar with hisYour Show of Shows.—
Alex Apatoff,
People.com,
28 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Clown.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clown. Accessed 14 Jul. 2025.
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