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
Time, 30 Oct. 2025
The clowns come at you quickly at Fast Splash Car Wash in Detroit, Mich.
—Neda Ulaby, NPR, 27 Oct. 2025
This guy might be single-handedly responsible for generations of people having an irrational fear of clowns.
—Steven Thrash, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Oct. 2025
Bebe Rexha poses with some freaky clowns at Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood on October 19.
—Lex Goldstein, PEOPLE, 23 Oct. 2025
For the last five years, Veneziale has been transforming his family’s suburban Philadelphia home into a theatrical Halloween walk-through of deranged clowns, lurking zombies, and jumpscares galore.
—Laura Kiniry, Popular Science, 22 Oct. 2025
The biggest losers are the very citizens electing these clowns.
—Khaleda Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Oct. 2025
But that won't ease the fears of anyone who categorizes clowns as monsters.
—Marci Robin, Allure, 1 Oct. 2025
All of the clowns introduced themselves one by one and offered encouragement and support.
—Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 25 Sep. 2025
Noun
By the mid 19th century, clowns were more central to circus entertainment, and their acts more risqué.
—Time, 30 Oct. 2025
The clowns come at you quickly at Fast Splash Car Wash in Detroit, Mich.
—Neda Ulaby, NPR, 27 Oct. 2025
This guy might be single-handedly responsible for generations of people having an irrational fear of clowns.
—Steven Thrash, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Oct. 2025
Bebe Rexha poses with some freaky clowns at Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood on October 19.
—Lex Goldstein, PEOPLE, 23 Oct. 2025
For the last five years, Veneziale has been transforming his family’s suburban Philadelphia home into a theatrical Halloween walk-through of deranged clowns, lurking zombies, and jumpscares galore.
—Laura Kiniry, Popular Science, 22 Oct. 2025
The biggest losers are the very citizens electing these clowns.
—Khaleda Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Oct. 2025
But that won't ease the fears of anyone who categorizes clowns as monsters.
—Marci Robin, Allure, 1 Oct. 2025
All of the clowns introduced themselves one by one and offered encouragement and support.
—Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 25 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clowns
Noun
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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
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An inmate who trains service dogs was also instructed to give Maxwell time with one of the puppies, even though the dogs are not supposed to be pet during training.—
Rebecca Beitsch,
The Hill,
10 Nov. 2025
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These include German shepherds, boxers, Pembroke Welsh corgis, Chesapeake Bay retrievers, Rhodesian ridgebacks, and Bernese mountain dogs.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Caroline Hirsch, founder and former owner of the New York comedy club Carolines on Broadway, is known for an innate knack for identifying the next big thing in comedy… and Gaffigan was one of those comedians.—
Rosemary Rossi,
Variety,
9 Nov. 2025
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With Dylan surrounded by folk, blues, jazz and comedians such as Lenny Bruce, his artistic growth began immediately upon arriving in the Village in early 1961.—
Glenn Peoples,
Billboard,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Gave the two jerks her very best.—
Rachel Raposas,
PEOPLE,
23 Oct. 2025
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Because even in a world of monsters, ghouls, and greedy jerks, the good guys still prevail.—
Gwen Ihnat,
Entertainment Weekly,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
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More importantly, this origin story of a movie and a movement apes the joie de moviemaking and the jazzy looseness of the original to an absolutely amazing degree, replicating an off-the-cuff feeling that’s more than a second-hand buzz.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
31 Oct. 2025
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There are high columns crawling with ivy, nearly 12 acres of rolling lawns, teensy windows with teensy shutters, and a diminutive pool house that apes a fairy-tale cottage.—
Adriane Quinlan,
Curbed,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
These jokers in Indianapolis acting the fool.—
Chris Sims,
IndyStar,
27 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Rodents, possums, and skunks show up to snack on the flesh and seeds.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
31 Oct. 2025
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While striped skunk is edible, Coalition Brewing warns against its strong odor, scavenger diet and susceptibility to parasites.—
Stuart Dyos,
USA Today,
29 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Noah's sister-in-law Esther (Jackie Tohn), the Jewish character portrayed most insultingly last year, has thankfully been softened and refined, and has somehow become the lone voice of reason amongst a group of immature idiots.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
23 Oct. 2025
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To be funny while playing a character who’s sweet and endearing (even when calling his friends idiots) is a skill, and Bad Bunny has it.—
Rima Parikh,
Vulture,
5 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Clowns.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clowns. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.
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