CLOWNING (AROUND) Synonyms: 28 Similar Words

clowning (around)

verb

present participle of clown (around)

as in cutting up

to engage in attention-getting playful or boisterous behavior as a youngster he was always clowning around in the classroom

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Recent Examples of Synonyms for clowning (around)

Verb

Cut the half into thin wedges by making ½-inch slices lengthwise through the onion, cutting up to, but not through, the root end.

— Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Sep. 2026
What parents can do on hectic mornings Nemours recommends doing as much as possible the night before, from setting out dishes to cutting up fruit.

— Ashley Lynch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of cutting up

Verb

Zeus did not approve of his daughter fooling around with this mortal roughneck hunter and put out a hit on Orion.

— Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 8 Mar. 2026
The transition was rough for Ansari, who wasn’t fluent in English and often got in trouble for fooling around in school.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2026

Definition of fooling around

Verb

What started as creators showing off outfits on social feeds is now a full commerce channel, with platforms, brands and event formats competing to shape what comes next.

— Ashley Lynch, Sacbee.com, 16 Sep. 2026
Billboard also has an exclusive behind-the-scenes video of Jung Kook posing for the campaign, showing off his silky dance moves and applauding at the end of a successful shoot.

— Alicia Urrea, Billboard, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of showing off

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Browse Nearby Words

clowning

clowning (around)

clownish

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“Clowning (around).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clowning%20%28around%29. Accessed 18 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of clowning (around)

verb

Example Sentences

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