1
as in harlequin
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 bastard
a person whose behavior is offensive to others
you should stay away from that clown
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of clown
Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 4 June 2026
JellyBean served as President of the World Clown Association and also led local clown alleys, including Calumet Clown Alley and Michiana Clowns.
—Philip Potempa, Chicago Tribune, 3 June 2026
Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 12 Mar. 2026
Phoenix dons makeup and transforms, taking a disturbed disaster of a stand-up comedian down the dark and dangerous path to being a killer clown.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 9 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for clown
Noun
What appears to be a Unitree G1 humanoid robot wearing a blue clown wig can be seen confidently executing a roundhouse kick — squarely in the stomach of a young child in the audience, causing the kid to double over in pain.
—Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 4 June 2026
JellyBean served as President of the World Clown Association and also led local clown alleys, including Calumet Clown Alley and Michiana Clowns.
—Philip Potempa, Chicago Tribune, 3 June 2026
Verb
People used to clown Compton ’cause the high school mascot is Tarbabes.
—Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 12 Mar. 2026
Phoenix dons makeup and transforms, taking a disturbed disaster of a stand-up comedian down the dark and dangerous path to being a killer clown.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 9 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for clown
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clown
Noun
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For the event, Kaling donned a strapless Elie Saab gown covered in crystal embroidery, which included a harlequin pattern and a sheer skirt.—
Hannah Malach,
InStyle,
27 May 2026
-
Colman Domingo wore a colorful custom Valentino look based on the house's harlequin motif.—
Hedy Phillips,
PEOPLE,
5 May 2026
Noun
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This Jamaican restaurant, located just off Main Street, brings Caribbean flavors to Mackinac Island’s solid rotation of restaurants, with planked whitefish and jerk chicken sandwiches.—
Iona Brannon,
Travel + Leisure,
13 June 2026
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After Game 4, jerks were throwing things at Victor Wembanyama.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
13 June 2026
Verb
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What’s worrying to him is that abundance can masquerade as sufficiency.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
9 June 2026
-
Conspiracy of data Whenever Americans are hungry for answers, platforms such as these can more easily masquerade as objective data analysis tools.—
Matthew N. Hannah,
The Conversation,
8 May 2026
Verb
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Its asymmetrical riff on the classic bucket hat takes the usual cut up a notch.—
Gretta Monahan,
Boston Herald,
18 June 2026
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The new non-stop flights will cut up to four hours off travel time compared to current one-stop services.—
Michael Goldstein,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
Noun
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Constanze, adoring the brilliance behind the buffoon, ensured a stable, kind home life.—
Chip Bell,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2026
-
Jerry is a buffoon whom Reggie embarrassed years ago on the field, and Reggie’s used to his hatred.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
14 Apr. 2026
Noun
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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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Marseille said the dog was always with her sister or nephew.—
Ruben Vives,
Los Angeles Times,
16 June 2026
Verb
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Mohebi appeared to mime the shooting of a gun after his goal, setting off criticism online.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
16 June 2026
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Mohebi appeared to mime the shooting of a gun after his goal, setting off criticism online.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 June 2026
Verb
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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
Cite this Entry
“Clown.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clown. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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