clown 1 of 2

noun

ˈklau̇n How to pronounce clown (audio)
Definition of clownnext
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

clown

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to masquerade

Related Words
2
as in to cut up

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of clown
Noun
Ficarra is a brilliant clown — his part is all miming — and also the most level-headed of these characters. — Television Critic, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026 Hang out with sheep, meet magicians and clowns and explore the amusement park. — Cole Premo, CBS News, 29 June 2026
Verb
The best at this emotive juggling act is Fabiola Caraballo Quijada as Juliet, who can dance and clown with the best of them but also nail those probing ballads. — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 8 May 2026 But when not asked to clown too much, Nicole Heaston (Alice), Sarah Saturnino (Meg), Hyona Kim (Mistress Quickly) and Deanna Breiwick (Nannetta) reveal seductive powers and Breiwick brings Fairy Queen magical lyricism to the final scene. — Classical Music Critic, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for clown
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clown
  1. harlequin
  2. jerk
  3. masquerade
  4. cut up
  5. buffoon
  6. dog
  7. mime
  8. horse around
Noun
  • Colorado potato beetles target potato plants, while harlequin beetles do damage to brassica family plants like kale, cauliflower, cabbage, and broccoli.
    — Alexandra Jones, The Spruce, 3 June 2026
  • For the event, Kaling donned a strapless Elie Saab gown covered in crystal embroidery, which included a harlequin pattern and a sheer skirt.
    — Hannah Malach, InStyle, 27 May 2026
Definition of harlequin
Noun
  • Cayman’s restaurant culture is shaped by the more than 130 different nationalities found on the islands, from traditional jerk chicken joints to fine dining establishments.
    — Taylor McIntyre, Travel + Leisure, 28 July 2026
  • The desire to make fresh New York rap that isn’t indebted to drill, or chasing broader Gen-Z hip-hop trends such as jerk and rage rap, sometimes leads to experiments that don’t land anywhere.
    — Lei Takanashi, Pitchfork, 27 July 2026
Definition of jerk
Verb
  • Set amid the aftermath of the Spanish Civil War, the tragic tale of Ofelia (Ivana Baquero) is famous for allowing real nightmares to masquerade as bloody fairytales.
    — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 30 June 2026
  • What’s worrying to him is that abundance can masquerade as sufficiency.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 9 June 2026
Definition of masquerade
Verb
  • Sporting Kansas City joined the vanquished Galaxy and Real Salt Lake on Saturday as LAFC cut up the last-place team in the Western Conference, 4-0.
    — Josh Gross, Daily News, 26 July 2026
  • Use leftover cheese scraps, cut up, in pasta salad, melted in macaroni and cheese, or add to snack boxes.
    — Better Homes & Gardens, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 July 2026
Definition of cut up
Noun
  • Lasso, in his initial introduction to audiences, wasn’t the warm, pun-loving, inspirational coach audiences would eventually embrace through Apple +, but a slightly arrogant buffoon parodying the average American sports fan.
    — Charles Moss, New York Times, 24 June 2026
  • There's the aforementioned spinoff — which aired on NBC after debuting on Peacock — and The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins, the great new comedy in which Tracy Morgan plays a buffoon who isn't that dissimilar from Michael Scott.
    — Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 17 June 2026
Definition of buffoon
Noun
  • Both Shapiro and Graziano kept their original Instagram handles and changed the names to add their current dogs.
    — Lisa Respers France, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Seeing your pup happily playing in the backyard or snoozing on the couch can provide reassurance for you without creating confusion for your dog.
    — Brittany Anas, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of dog
Verb
  • Johnson, committed to not speaking, tried to mime a response.
    — Victoria Edel, PEOPLE, 17 July 2026
  • Pressing my best sad face and hands against the window, I’d mime a plea for rescue to passing motorists.
    — Lisa Liu Grady, Christian Science Monitor, 9 July 2026
Definition of mime
Verb
  • Ortiz navigated past 17 other horses around the final turn and made a hard charge down the stretch.
    — Stephen Whyno, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 May 2026
  • What followed was a playful back-and-forth, with the two monkeys horsing around in a way that had the comment sections absolutely buzzing.
    — Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 19 Mar. 2026
Definition of horse around

Phrases Containing clown

Browse Nearby Words

cloverleafs
clown
clown (around)
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Cite this Entry

“Clown.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clown. Accessed 7 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on clown

Nglish: Translation of clown for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about clown

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