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
Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Oct. 2025
One bedroom features some toys found in the movie as well as a clown.
—Natalie Wu, CNBC, 31 Oct. 2025
Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 23 Sep. 2025
The pie shoved in Anthony’s face by his lover, Giuseppe, felt like a neat distillation of how crudely the series seemed to clown its characters, week after week after week.
—Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 15 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clown
Noun
This fourth installment finds plenty to mine from Jigsaw and his diabolical traps — and yes, that silly tricycle-riding clown gets some screen time.
—Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Oct. 2025
One bedroom features some toys found in the movie as well as a clown.
—Natalie Wu, CNBC, 31 Oct. 2025
Verb
Cue Pennywise's menacing laughter and our first glimpse of the killer clown behind his signature red balloon.
—Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 23 Sep. 2025
The pie shoved in Anthony’s face by his lover, Giuseppe, felt like a neat distillation of how crudely the series seemed to clown its characters, week after week after week.
—Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 15 Aug. 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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Pity the poor actor who has to co-star opposite a 150-pound harlequin Great Dane.—
Peter Rainer,
Christian Science Monitor,
3 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Diet culture masquerading as health and wellness profits from people obsessing over their weight.—
Leah Asmelash,
CNN Money,
6 Dec. 2025
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Today’s online environment intensifies this effect, allowing a small number of loud or coordinated voices to masquerade as true consensus.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
27 Nov. 2025
Verb
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ConocoPhillips announced plans to cut up to 25% of its global staff.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Time,
5 Jan. 2026
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Meanwhile, as all of this is happening, Meredith is cutting up with the other ladies at the spa, without a care in the world.—
Tom Smyth,
Vulture,
31 Dec. 2025
Noun
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Johnson delights in playing the role of lovable buffoon in the locker room, but his goofiness has purpose.—
Jared Weiss,
New York Times,
2 Jan. 2026
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Finally there’s Arthur, an upwards-failing buffoon caught—like so many of his countrymen, then and now—between Conkling’s spoils system and Garfield’s idealism.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
28 Nov. 2025
Noun
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For those with less-briny palates, a fine jerk chicken and a number of steak cuts are also available.—
Jesse Ashlock,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Jan. 2026
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Mike’s older sister, Nancy (Natalia Dyer), is our entry point to Hawkins High; a pretty striver, she’s recently been distracted from academics by a fling with popular jerk Steve Harrington (Joe Keery).—
Judy Berman,
Time,
26 Dec. 2025
Verb
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When crew members intervened, prosecutors said, Usiripalli raised his hand in the shape of a gun, placed his fingers in his mouth, and mimed pulling the trigger.—
Emma Bussey,
FOXNews.com,
28 Oct. 2025
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With his teammates crowding around him in celebration, the veteran mimed the old monkey-of-my-back motion after his first goal as a Bruin.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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At this point in time, my little AI company, a lean and mean group of passionate believers, is horsing around fine-tuning the product, living on a couple of angel investments, where a 10X return on few million dollars is very satisfying, not only to the angel, but also to the employees.—
Neil Senturia,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Oct. 2025
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Running or horsing around with sparklers can also cause injuries and burns when users trip and fall.—
Justin Laube,
EverydayHealth.com,
2 July 2025
Noun
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The episode will mark the comedian's first time hosting, as well as the singer's first time performing.—
Nicholas Rice,
PEOPLE,
8 Nov. 2025
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Since then, additional women have come forward with accusations against the comedian.—
Lauryn Overhultz,
FOXNews.com,
7 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Clown.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clown. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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