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
Bethy Squires, Vulture, 1 Mar. 2026
Performances and stunts are delivered by international acrobats and clowns during music and light shows.
—Abby Hamblin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Feb. 2026
Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Nov. 2025
Carnivalesque tactics and clown costumes have been popular responses to police repression at anti-globalization protests.
—Anya M. Galli Robertson, The Conversation, 21 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clown
Noun
Heated Rivalry is okay, but for Connor Storrie clown is more easy.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 1 Mar. 2026
Performances and stunts are delivered by international acrobats and clowns during music and light shows.
—Abby Hamblin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Feb. 2026
Verb
Welcome to Derry, a prequel series from the producers of 2017's IT and 2019's IT Chapter 2 that will again feature Bill Skarsgård as the dancing clown.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Nov. 2025
Carnivalesque tactics and clown costumes have been popular responses to police repression at anti-globalization protests.
—Anya M. Galli Robertson, The Conversation, 21 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clown
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clown
Noun
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If the Brits are anything to go by, feather boas and harlequin jumpsuits are out, and French-girl flats are in.—
Alice Newbold,
Vogue,
28 Feb. 2026
-
Rather than the usual crisscross pattern, Holmes’ sweater features solid block diamonds in bold colors for a harlequin look that is honestly a breath of fresh air.—
Elizabeth Logan,
Glamour,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Communication is a maze of deflections, accusations disguised as jokes, taunts masquerading as sincerity.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
24 Feb. 2026
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That mindset allows mediocrity to masquerade as patience.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
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At one point, a member of the Revolutionary Guard came over to cut up Khamenei’s breakfast meat.—
Robin Wright,
New Yorker,
1 Mar. 2026
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Her voice is intimate and resonant, whether cut up into indistinct background flurries or pushed to the front of the mix.—
Alex Robert Ross,
Pitchfork,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
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So the Dolphins haven’t totally escaped their buffoon-like past with Ross at the helm.—
Chris Perkins,
Sun Sentinel,
17 Feb. 2026
-
The movie is like a version of Waiting for Guffman (1996) in which the Christopher Guest character was not a buffoon but an earnest striver with grit and (significant) talent.—
Peter Tonguette,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Without comment, the president shared multiple news articles covering his previous remarks slamming Maher as a jerk.—
Brendan Morrow,
USA Today,
8 Mar. 2026
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The Lion’s Tail that tastes like if a Jamaican jerk chicken and a Whiskey Sour couldn’t keep their hands off each other.—
Jeremy Repanich,
Robb Report,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Panahi mimed cradling a reptile the size of a kitten.—
H. C. Wilentz,
New Yorker,
2 Mar. 2026
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Fleming asks, miming a person examining the topping options at an ice-cream parlor.—
Kathryn VanArendonk,
Vulture,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Bevel was horsing around with the Reverend James Orange and Andy Young in the courtyard under King's balcony, according to Orange.—
Gail Sheehy,
Vanity Fair,
20 Feb. 2026
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But Andrew continued to live at the home and was often seen riding his horse around Windsor Great Park and photographed waving to crowds.—
Martha Ross,
Mercury News,
12 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Hear comedians workshop their jokes Hear some jokes-in-progress from Cincinnati's local talent.—
Caroline Ritzie,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
8 Mar. 2026
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Include the name of the band, solo artist or comedian, and the year of their performance.—
George Varga,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Clown.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clown. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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