clowned (around)

verb

past tense of clown (around)
as in horsed around
to engage in attention-getting playful or boisterous behavior as a youngster he was always clowning around in the classroom

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for clowned (around)
  1. cut up
  2. fooled around
  3. acted up
  4. showed off
Verb
  • The director planned to film the killing of a live donkey, which would be cut up for food by actors portraying laborers.
    — Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 7 July 2026
  • 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
Definition of cut up
Verb
  • Not too long ago, artificial intelligence was more or less a science project in which data scientists and developers fooled around with one-off small or test projects.
    — Joe McKendrick, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Definition of fooled around
Verb
  • And of course, Peterson not playing would have made some wonder if the McDonald’s All-American’s hamstring had acted up again.
    — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 7 Dec. 2025
Definition of acted up
Verb
  • Norway’s star striker Erling Haaland, one of soccer’s most fashionable gents, showed off his namesake Breitling at a post-Cup reception in his home country.
    — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 18 July 2026
  • Paulina Porizkova’s sons showed off their musical talents at her wedding to Jeff Greenstein.
    — Hannah Malach, InStyle, 18 July 2026
Definition of showed off
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.

Browse Nearby Words

clowned
clowned (around)
clownery
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Clowned (around).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clowned%20%28around%29. Accessed 21 Jul. 2026.

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