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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
Actor Michael Rapaport ripped Macklemore as a talentless clown following the rapper’s pro-Palestinian set at MetLife Stadium. — Staff, FOXNews.com, 10 Sep. 2026 Circus of the Damned — An evil ringmaster tries to restore his cursed carnival with a new cast of clowns. — Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 8 Sep. 2026
Verb
Performances include clowning by Unique Derique, the singing of the Black National Anthem and a Tina Turner tribute by Lea Sweet. — Kate Bradshaw, Mercury News, 2 June 2026 There’s one dressed as a circus clown. — Brian Bennett, Time, 11 May 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
  • According to children’s program manager Fedeline Julien, who has worked for Beaches since 1999, the area where Treasure Beach stands used to be dedicated to beach parties, team member residences, and the jerk truck.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Sep. 2026
  • In late August, Mayor Mamdani hosted a celebration of Caribbean culture at Gracie Mansion with plenty of patties and jerk chicken to go around.
    — Reshma B, VIBE.com, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of jerk
Verb
  • The closer the test gets to the actual work, the less room there is for a polished story to masquerade as evidence.
    — Alexander Puutio, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The most powerful of the three attack variants causes the infected Windows machine to masquerade as an iPhone.
    — Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of masquerade
Verb
  • Duke Energy crews are working to cut up the tree and replace the pole, officials said.
    — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Later, it was prevented from being cut up to decorate a carnival float.
    — Lauren Frayer, NPR, 9 Sep. 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
  • For dogs that stress out easily or suffer from anxiety, these collars could also increase their stress levels when left on too long.
    — BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2026
  • The survival thriller, directed by David Ayer, follows a Special Forces officer and his combat dog who, after a devastating plane crash, get stranded deep in the Alaskan wilderness.
    — Angelique Jackson, Variety, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of dog
Verb
  • Johnson jokes, miming a phone to her ear as Cherkovskiy puts his head in hands.
    — Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2026
  • These actors don’t mime making music, as is often the case in revivals.
    — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of mime
Verb
  • Also, don’t get too out of control horsing around with friends in the water.
    — John Natale, Hartford Courant, 16 Aug. 2026
  • According to McGrady, the only royal who didn’t enjoy the time away in the Highlands was the late Princess Diana, who didn’t fit in with the family’s outdoorsy vibes and didn’t enjoy riding horses around the property due to a fall as a child.
    — Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 12 Aug. 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 20 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on clown

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about clown

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