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
Both McAdams and O’Brien play with their movie star personae but move beyond those expectations to deliver highly expressive, almost clownish performances — in the best way.
—
Katie Walsh,
Twin Cities,
31 Jan. 2026
Both McAdams and O’Brien move beyond expectations to deliver highly expressive, almost clownish performances — in the best way.
—
Katie Walsh,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Jan. 2026
All the forces and clownish figures of the moment, from Howard Stern to Al Sharpton, weighed in.
—
Adam Gopnik,
New Yorker,
12 Jan. 2026
Pratt, who long cultivated a clownish and villainous persona, leveraged his significant social media presence following the fire to refashion himself as an earnest mix of citizen watchdog and populist firebrand.
—
Gary Baum,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for clownish
Katie Walsh,
Twin Cities,
31 Jan. 2026
Both McAdams and O’Brien move beyond expectations to deliver highly expressive, almost clownish performances — in the best way.
—
Katie Walsh,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Jan. 2026
All the forces and clownish figures of the moment, from Howard Stern to Al Sharpton, weighed in.
—
Adam Gopnik,
New Yorker,
12 Jan. 2026
Pratt, who long cultivated a clownish and villainous persona, leveraged his significant social media presence following the fire to refashion himself as an earnest mix of citizen watchdog and populist firebrand.
—
Gary Baum,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for clownish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clownish
Adjective
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The doc goes on to note that, along with boorish audiences, record labels were also wary of Culture Club, even though their aesthetic was very much in the early Eighties new wave and pop mold.
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In New York, an inspiring young leftist competed against a boorish, but experienced, former governor to replace a corrupt mayor.
Adjective
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But even the most perfect Constitution can be undone by the wicked with the help of the bought, the stupid, and the cowardly.
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White can believe Hokit said something stupid and still believe fighters should be allowed to speak for themselves.
Adjective
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And any expression otherwise is so taboo or deemed uncouth, and we aren’t allowed to talk about it in our art and media.
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Those songs both ended with squalls of noise, hinting at Bash’s interest in more uncouth arrangements.
Adjective
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And Trump’s domineering, loutish approach to women spoke to its adherents in a way that few, if any, of his rivals could match.
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The nation and the world have long since become accustomed to Trump’s loutish behavior, coarse vocabulary and disrespect for the dignity of his office and America’s reputation.
Adjective
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The Avs did right by MacFarland in granting him permission to interview, unlike the petty and classless Golden Knights, who continue to hold former coach Bruce Cassidy hostage.
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Some of the reaction to his death was also classless.
Adjective
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But this churlish little spurt from his players?
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Most of that action is on the Democratic side and the sniping is getting downright churlish as we near the March 17 primary elections.
Adjective
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In recent years, Trae Young has repeatedly tormented the Knicks at the famed Madison Square Garden, turning clutch shots and postgame showmanship into vulgar chants from New York fans.
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This isn’t about the vulgar prices now being charged to get into the building and Celebrity Row.
Cite this Entry
“Clownish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clownish. Accessed 27 Jun. 2026.
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