1
as in harlequins
a comically dressed performer (as at a circus) who entertains with playful tricks and ridiculous behavior
a clown wearing big floppy shoes and a red wig
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in bastards
a person whose behavior is offensive to others
you should stay away from that clown
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of clowns
Zach Dean Outkick, FOXNews.com, 15 June 2026
The tumbles and trust falls might start to scare you, but this is hardly these clowns’ first rodeo.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 14 June 2026
In showcasing the comedy and entertainment skills of drag queens, rather than the lip-syncing talents most people might be familiar with, the movie in effect asks critics of drag what exactly is so scary about a bunch of glamorous clowns.
—David MacK, CNN Money, 10 June 2026
Grotesque sea hags, killer clowns, demonic self-help books and more plague the town and its mayor, Tom Loftis (Matthew Rhys).
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 29 May 2026
The four paintings are Joan Miró’s Composition (1953), Maurice Utrillo’s Maison de rendez-vous de chasse de Henri IV, rue Saint-Vincent, Montmartre (1934), Balthus’s Etude pour femme couchée (1948), and Pablo Picasso’s L’Ecuyere et les clowns (1961).
—Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 6 May 2026
Once completed, the $5 million acquisition will ensure the theater has a permanent home, a place where skateboarding clowns and leek-haired onions can continue to frolic and dance for decades to come.
—Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2026
Plot details are being kept under wraps, though the film has been described as a four-quadrant coming-of-age comedy set in the world of funny and evil clowns.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 7 Apr. 2026
From ringmasters and lions to clowns and mimes, everyone went all out with their party attire.
—Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 6 Apr. 2026
Noun
Bunch of virtue signaling clowns!
—Zach Dean Outkick, FOXNews.com, 15 June 2026
The tumbles and trust falls might start to scare you, but this is hardly these clowns’ first rodeo.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 14 June 2026
In showcasing the comedy and entertainment skills of drag queens, rather than the lip-syncing talents most people might be familiar with, the movie in effect asks critics of drag what exactly is so scary about a bunch of glamorous clowns.
—David MacK, CNN Money, 10 June 2026
Grotesque sea hags, killer clowns, demonic self-help books and more plague the town and its mayor, Tom Loftis (Matthew Rhys).
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 29 May 2026
The four paintings are Joan Miró’s Composition (1953), Maurice Utrillo’s Maison de rendez-vous de chasse de Henri IV, rue Saint-Vincent, Montmartre (1934), Balthus’s Etude pour femme couchée (1948), and Pablo Picasso’s L’Ecuyere et les clowns (1961).
—Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 6 May 2026
Once completed, the $5 million acquisition will ensure the theater has a permanent home, a place where skateboarding clowns and leek-haired onions can continue to frolic and dance for decades to come.
—Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2026
Plot details are being kept under wraps, though the film has been described as a four-quadrant coming-of-age comedy set in the world of funny and evil clowns.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 7 Apr. 2026
From ringmasters and lions to clowns and mimes, everyone went all out with their party attire.
—Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 6 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clowns
Noun
-
The two buffoons shave her head, chain her in the basement of a messy remote home and then accuse her of being an alien.—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
22 Oct. 2025
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But times have changed, and this team of buffoons is forced to grapple with changing industry ethics and sensationalist journalism in its transition, all while Ron faces an identity crisis that challenges his bravado, his massive ego.—
Travis Bean,
Forbes.com,
22 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The parasite has the cattle and dairy industry on edge, but in Mexico, screwworm has also been found in bears, pigs, goats, and even dogs and cats.—
John Lauritsen,
CBS News,
16 June 2026
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Keep dogs leashed in bear country, and maintain control of them at all times.—
Amber Harding OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
16 June 2026
Verb
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The track apes the softly anthemic approach of U2, Coldplay, and the National—until all of that elegant uplift topples like an overly ambitious wedding cake.—
Spencer Kornhaber,
The Atlantic,
12 June 2026
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But if getting Andy back in the Runway fold feels a lot like getting her into it in the first film, that feeling will only persist, as the sequel apes the original feature nearly beat for beat, with some small swaps here and there.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Ortiz navigated past 17 other horses around the final turn and made a hard charge down the stretch.—
Stephen Whyno,
The Orlando Sentinel,
3 May 2026
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Ortiz navigated past 17 other horses around the final turn and made a hard charge down the stretch.—
Stephen Whyno,
Chicago Tribune,
2 May 2026
Noun
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An offshoot of the popular podcast that actor-comedians Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang have hosted since 2016, the award show aims to celebrate the year’s biggest pop culture moments and plays like a fever dream more dazzling and deliciously random than a late-night scroll session on TikTok.—
Senior Television,
Los Angeles Times,
11 June 2026
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The two comedians first met as each was hired to the cast of Nickelodeon's All That in 1994.—
Angela Andaloro,
PEOPLE,
11 June 2026
Noun
-
After Game 4, jerks were throwing things at Victor Wembanyama.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
13 June 2026
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Something from this article might put me on some Ben Shapiro list, where a bunch of jerks literally will just call me ‘f****t’ or worse on my social media.—
William Earl,
Variety,
10 June 2026
Verb
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The new congressional map in Virginia effectively cuts up the state’s 11 House districts to give Democrats an advantage in 10 of them.—
Joseph Konig,
PEOPLE,
22 Apr. 2026
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How to Prune Viburnum Use sharp hand pruners for smaller cuts up to the diameter of a pencil, and loppers or a pruning saw for larger cuts.—
Luke Miller,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Like any public hearing, there were a few jokers who had some strange outbursts, but the majority of the over a dozen speakers weren’t satisfied with Gower’s presentation and used their times to ask questions of the owners as to what has taken so long with this project.—
Brian Welk,
IndieWire,
12 May 2026
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Students are required to bring two full decks of cards including the jokers.—
Kris Slugg,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Clowns.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clowns. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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