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
Tania Franco Klein, Vulture, 20 May 2026
In the end, Bill Skarsgård returned as the horrifying clown Pennywise, which was always the plan from the start.
—Emily Longeretta, Variety, 11 May 2026
Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 12 Mar. 2026
Phoenix dons makeup and transforms, taking a disturbed disaster of a stand-up comedian down the dark and dangerous path to being a killer clown.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 9 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for clown
Noun
Someone had dated a clown and recommended it because of clowns’ ability to access true mask-off vulnerability; someone else had dated a clown and warned me off doing the same because of clowns’ affinity for telling lies.
—Tania Franco Klein, Vulture, 20 May 2026
In the end, Bill Skarsgård returned as the horrifying clown Pennywise, which was always the plan from the start.
—Emily Longeretta, Variety, 11 May 2026
Verb
People used to clown Compton ’cause the high school mascot is Tarbabes.
—Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 12 Mar. 2026
Phoenix dons makeup and transforms, taking a disturbed disaster of a stand-up comedian down the dark and dangerous path to being a killer clown.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 9 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for clown
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clown
Noun
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Colman Domingo wore a colorful custom Valentino look based on the house's harlequin motif.—
Hedy Phillips,
PEOPLE,
5 May 2026
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Common Pests and Diseases Broccoli plants can be damaged by common insect pests, like caterpillars, aphids, flea beetles, and harlequin bugs, says Minter.—
Blythe Copeland,
Martha Stewart,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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For his part, Amato was a techno sophisticate masquerading as a party monster.—
Walden Green,
Pitchfork,
23 May 2026
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Conspiracy of data Whenever Americans are hungry for answers, platforms such as these can more easily masquerade as objective data analysis tools.—
Matthew N. Hannah,
The Conversation,
8 May 2026
Verb
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Instead of dwelling in doubt, cut up paper and throw it around.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 May 2026
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Firefighting crews worked Monday to cool residual heat and prevent hot spots from causing reignition, using chainsaws to fell and cut up hazardous trees, inspecting each section for heat and using hoses to extinguish any remaining embers.—
Forum News Service,
Twin Cities,
20 May 2026
Noun
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Jerry is a buffoon whom Reggie embarrassed years ago on the field, and Reggie’s used to his hatred.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
14 Apr. 2026
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He is looked upon as a bloviating buffoon, not to be believed or taken seriously.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
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His profession is to be the screaming jerk on reality shows, and his house burns down.—
Mekishana Pierre,
Entertainment Weekly,
28 May 2026
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These measurements enabled scientists to identify sudden changes linked to the Pacific reversal and a geomagnetic disturbance known as the 2017 geomagnetic jerk.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
25 May 2026
Verb
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Standing before the microphone on the Constitution Hall stage, Nikhil asked for the latter word’s definition, language of origin and other identifying information while his fingers mimed typing.—
Elizabeth Hernandez,
Denver Post,
27 May 2026
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Instead of getting upset himself, Busch mimed wiping away fake tears to the crowd.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
24 May 2026
Verb
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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
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Ortiz navigated past 17 other horses around the final turn and made a hard charge down the stretch.—
Stephen Whyno,
Chicago Tribune,
2 May 2026
Noun
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The Original put his hands on Ojitos, and the blind comedian answered with several shots with a cain.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
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Steyer's video supporting Hernandez earned praise from some liberal social media users, especially those who advocate for transgender rights, including transgender comedian Stacy Cay.—
Jackson Thompson OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
30 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Clown.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clown. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
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