as in boorish
having or showing crudely insensitive or impolite manners
the clownish antics of some of the teenagers at the wedding reception
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of clownish
Inspired by the artifice of playthings, Jacobs turned to 1960s paper dolls last February, and this season opened the door to the dollhouse once again with clownish, clomping platform heels that forced his models to walk with a Barbie-like gait.
—
Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 3 July 2025
Orange cats, particularly tabbies like Butter, are known for their quirky and often clownish personalities.
—Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 June 2025
The writer might have been reminded of Napoleon III, who hovers in the background of the novel as a sinister, clownish figure.
—Graham Robb, The Atlantic, 9 June 2025
In the mountains of Papua New Guinea, researchers encountered a clownish creature perched on a log in a fern meadow, basking in the sun.
—Lauren Liebhaber, Miami Herald, 22 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clownish
Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 3 July 2025
Orange cats, particularly tabbies like Butter, are known for their quirky and often clownish personalities.
—Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 June 2025
The writer might have been reminded of Napoleon III, who hovers in the background of the novel as a sinister, clownish figure.
—Graham Robb, The Atlantic, 9 June 2025
In the mountains of Papua New Guinea, researchers encountered a clownish creature perched on a log in a fern meadow, basking in the sun.
—Lauren Liebhaber, Miami Herald, 22 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clownish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clownish
Adjective
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Kimmel, like Stephen Colbert, went from acting as boorish right-wing caricatures to playing themselves — that is, liberals who dislike Trump and support vaccines.—
David Weigel,
semafor.com,
19 Sep. 2025
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Depicting Americans as arrogant, loud, boorish and demeaning of other cultures, the term has stuck and is still mentioned 60-plus years later.—
Jenny Peters,
Oc Register,
4 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The real star of this episode, however, was Gretchen Christine Beauté and her stupid Lara Croft outfit.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
26 Sep. 2025
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Among the colorful cast of rogues, villains, queens and clergymen, Andre The Giant stands out as the young suitor’s kind-hearted but stupid brute.—
Duane Byrge,
HollywoodReporter,
25 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Societal neglect will inevitably breed a coarseness in manner and language, exhibited by the uncouth nature of the Chiefs’ players as well as the public watching them.—
Vikram Murthi,
IndieWire,
19 Aug. 2025
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If Netanyahu loses the next elections, his downfall would bring a wave of relief among many Israelis at home and abroad for removing the uncouth populists and religious fundamentalists who openly broadcast their intentions to destroy and starve the population of Gaza and annex the territory.—
DAHLIA SCHEINDLIN,
Foreign Affairs,
13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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This was like loutish English tourists turning up unannounced and urinating in the holy water.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
22 May 2025
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And Gandolfini, who died of a heart attack in 2013 at age 51, was the show’s tempestuous soul, playing a loutish killer with a quick temper and sad eyes.—
Chris Vognar,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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This type of behavior by Mayor Hammoud was uncalled for, classless, unprofessional and just plain wrong.—
Niraj Warikoo,
Freep.com,
20 Sep. 2025
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Private ownership is eliminated with the goal of all goods being equally shared in a classless society.—
Marley Malenfant,
Austin American Statesman,
2 July 2025
Adjective
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Read more: How the Low-Stakes Murder Mystery Took Over Pop Culture Advertisement Still, The Thursday Murder Club is so good-natured, and so gorgeous to look at, that to carp about it just seems churlish.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
22 Aug. 2025
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The pure of heart among you may recoil at the notion that anyone would sow brutish chaos, hurt vulnerable people and throw any semblance of democracy under the bus for a churlish, vicious distraction.—
Pat Beall,
Sun Sentinel,
14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Colorado has condemned a vulgar chant its fans directed at BYU during its football team’s 24-21 loss Saturday at Folsom Field.—
David Ubben,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
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Protecting speech for all requires great tolerance for the vulgar, rude, offensive, angry, mean and, yes, even hateful.—
The Detroit News Editorial Board,
Twin Cities,
24 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Clownish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clownish. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.
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