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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Recent Examples of clownish
But Victor leans less into clownish mortification than her predecessors, making room instead for a delicate quietude and sincerity.
—
Jon Frosch, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Redheads often fielded comments related to having a hot temper, being clownish, weirdness, Irishness, not capable of being in the sun, being wild (among women), wimpy (among men), and intellectually superior.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 19 Jan. 2025
As vice-president, Kamala Harris was generally regarded as unimpressive and slightly clownish, with her banal repetitions and too-frequent outbursts of too-exuberant laughter.
—Avi Nelson, Boston Herald, 30 Oct. 2024
Its members' firm repudiation of the unqualified and clownish Matt Gaetz for attorney general shows that its members can still stiffen their sinews and summon up the courage to curb President-elect Donald Trump's appetite for surrounding himself with sycophantic boobs.
—Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for clownish
Jon Frosch, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Redheads often fielded comments related to having a hot temper, being clownish, weirdness, Irishness, not capable of being in the sun, being wild (among women), wimpy (among men), and intellectually superior.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 19 Jan. 2025
As vice-president, Kamala Harris was generally regarded as unimpressive and slightly clownish, with her banal repetitions and too-frequent outbursts of too-exuberant laughter.
—Avi Nelson, Boston Herald, 30 Oct. 2024
Its members' firm repudiation of the unqualified and clownish Matt Gaetz for attorney general shows that its members can still stiffen their sinews and summon up the courage to curb President-elect Donald Trump's appetite for surrounding himself with sycophantic boobs.
—Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for clownish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clownish
Adjective
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His boorish behavior was condemned by others silently and did not affect the solemnity of the ceremony.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
10 June 2025
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While the boorish behavior of Twain’s shipmates is cataloged throughout (snapping off pieces of ancient monuments for souvenirs, for instance), his most flamboyant portrayal is a self-portrait.—
Caity Weaver,
The Atlantic,
5 June 2025
Adjective
-
Mexican men were dismissed as violent Panchos and stupid Pedros.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
24 June 2025
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There’s more stupid romance around harder substances but few chemicals are more hazardous to ambition than THC.—
Benjamin Hale
June 23,
Literary Hub,
23 June 2025
Adjective
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This includes uncouth habits like bad hygiene, inconsiderate acts like being self-centered or a violation of social norms.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
2 June 2025
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Even at a cautious pace, the Escort feels raw and uncouth.—
Tim Pitt,
Robb Report,
28 May 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
-
The rowdy responses of the classless crowd were intolerable.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
10 June 2025
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But, for not a single D to stand to applaud a boy's brave battle with cancer, or a man's admission to West Point, was a classless disgrace.—
Russel Honoré,
Newsweek,
5 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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And refusing to congratulate his SIL is just churlish.—
Stephanie Guerilus,
People.com,
21 June 2025
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An office that demands wisdom and restraint is now debased with churlish impulsivity, rambling incoherency and overt grift.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
11 May 2025
Adjective
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Using vulgar, profane or indecent language in a loud or boisterous manner in the presence of children.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
16 June 2025
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Between 12% and 13.3% of Americans, around 10% of Brits, and 9.4% of Australians used at least one vulgar word in their data.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
15 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Clownish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clownish. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.
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