as in clown
a comically dressed performer (as at a circus) who entertains with playful tricks and ridiculous behavior
among the court entertainers waiting to enter the grand hall were masked harlequins in brightly colored pantaloons
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Recent Examples of harlequin
Joan Kennedy opted for pink, aqua and gold harlequin boucle HotPants and tunic.
—
Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2025
One middle finger featured a 3D harlequin face atop a red and gold base.
—Kara Nesvig, Allure, 18 Sep. 2025
Is this serious commitment to the harlequin colors a hint at something else, like a Rare Beauty drop or a new musical era?
—Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 10 Sep. 2025
Learn more about management options and which food plants are most susceptible to this insect in our harlequin bug on vegetables web page.
—Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 16 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for harlequin
Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2025
One middle finger featured a 3D harlequin face atop a red and gold base.
—Kara Nesvig, Allure, 18 Sep. 2025
Is this serious commitment to the harlequin colors a hint at something else, like a Rare Beauty drop or a new musical era?
—Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 10 Sep. 2025
Learn more about management options and which food plants are most susceptible to this insect in our harlequin bug on vegetables web page.
—Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 16 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for harlequin
Recent Examples of Synonyms for harlequin
clown
Noun
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The results will show young women who look an awful lot like circus clowns, with faces hidden under layers of masks, gels, serums, and even face tape.—
Jana Pollack,
Parents,
31 Jan. 2026
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What awaits you is an emotional journey through family, death, grief, memory, hope, and tears that also features clowns – yes, clowns!—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Harlequin.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harlequin. Accessed 6 Feb. 2026.
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