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
The only leaders more buffoonish and lethal than the fairground hucksters elected in our failing democracies are the omnipotent clowns of tyranny. — Simon Sebag Montefiore, The Atlantic, 28 June 2026 Up until his first day of filming Jackass, Steve-O was a clown in nightclubs, cruise ships and at a flea-market circus. — Yamillah Hurtado, PEOPLE, 23 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
  • Bates plans to expand that menu in the new brick-and-mortar restaurant, adding dishes like jerk catfish pasta and Louisiana Cajun cream sauce over dirty rice.
    — Joey Schamber, jsonline.com, 8 July 2026
  • For instance, there are glazed pork belly chunks served on crispy tostones, tuna tataki with a jerk-spice rub, and a bright, citrusy conch salad.
    — Chadner Navarro, Travel + Leisure, 29 June 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
  • Unusual colorways and short production runs contribute to rarity, and uncut original lengths are prized, since most bolts have been cut up and used.
    — Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 July 2026
  • Everything is cut up and put together through chance operations into what Cage called a Musicircus.
    — Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 2 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
  • Sit, who went by the first name Tony, operated Happy K9 Academy and the dogs were in his care when they were kept in crates in a hot van and died, the district attorney’s office said.
    — Phil Helsel, NBC news, 11 July 2026
  • When an Instagram video with nearly 100 million views likened his appearance to a green onion — its wiry roots standing in as his hair — Haaland responded in the comments with a side-eyeing dog GIF.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 11 July 2026
Definition of dog
Verb
  • 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
  • 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
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
  • 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
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 18 Jul. 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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