Thesaurus results for CLOWNERY

clownery

noun

ˈklau̇-nə-rē

Definition of clownery

as in clowning

wildly playful or mischievous behavior it was clownery like that that resulted in an expensive vase being broken

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 clownery Allow Yahya Abdul-Mateen II to clarify his remarks about Aquaman being the work of clowns with… some clownery. — Jessica Wang, EW.com, 1 Sep. 2022 Chronicle Books In the world of clownery, tradition has long dictated that a clown must never steal another clown’s look. — Constance Grady, Vox, 20 Aug. 2018 Seems as if the airlines are still clowning and being targeted with lawsuits because of the clownery. — Breanna Edwards, The Root, 14 May 2018

Recent Examples of Synonyms for clownery

Noun

On paper, the script didn’t seem that funny, and the looseness of it all — the clowning, the lack of a traditional plot structure — seemed kind of slapdash.

— Victor Garber, Vulture, 17 Sep. 2026
After all, as observed in a recent article in New York magazine about clowning, stupidity is powerful resistance.

— New York Times, New York Times, 24 June 2026

Definition of clowning

Noun

Irwin knows how to clown an audience, and in this enjoyable, broadly comic interpretation, the buffoonery is at least as much the point as some pointed critiques of modern-day American health care.

— Greg Evans, Deadline, 22 Oct. 2026
Trump’s quarter millennial—featuring overt buffoonery and historic grifting as neighbors—was characteristic of his two presidencies.

— Ta-Nehisi Coates, Vanity Fair, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of buffoonery

Noun

As the audience applauded, Stewart launched into his joking eulogy.

— Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Oct. 2026
Russell was mentioned in that speech, but in a joking way, playing off of how frequent Oscars director Glenn Weiss, who won for his role helming the 2018 Academy Awards telecast, had used his speech to propose to his then-girlfriend.

— Hilary Lewis, HollywoodReporter, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of joking

Noun

After the film’s theatrical release on June 26, the decades-long saga of pranks and tomfoolery is finally coming to an end.

— Isabelle Farina, Variety, 9 Sep. 2026
New assistant coach Alice Chilton is a blatant remodeling of Roy Kent — a brusque ex-soccer player who’s reluctant to engage with Ted’s tomfoolery or personal prodding — but Tanya Reynolds’ performance is equal turns wounded and witty.

— Ben Travers, IndieWire, 5 Aug. 2026