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
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2
as in bastard
a person whose behavior is offensive to others
you should stay away from that clown
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
2
as in to cut up
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of clown
Katie Walsh, Twin Cities, 9 May 2025
Matthew Davies, 41, was taken into custody on suspicion of assaulting a man with a glass bottle while dressed up as a clown on Oct. 31, 2018, according to a news release issued by the department.
—Vincent Moleski, Sacbee.com, 8 May 2025
Frank Rizzo, Variety, 8 Apr. 2025
For these artists, clowning ultimately has less to do with putting on makeup than with stripping it away.
—Michael Snyder, New York Times, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clown
Noun
Teens start turning up dead, evil clowns start revving their chainsaws.
—Katie Walsh, Twin Cities, 9 May 2025
Matthew Davies, 41, was taken into custody on suspicion of assaulting a man with a glass bottle while dressed up as a clown on Oct. 31, 2018, according to a news release issued by the department.
—Vincent Moleski, Sacbee.com, 8 May 2025
Verb
The alternating worlds are meant to be playful, but Toontown especially gets exhausting quickly, with characters mugging, clowning and amplifying every limp punchline.
—Frank Rizzo, Variety, 8 Apr. 2025
For these artists, clowning ultimately has less to do with putting on makeup than with stripping it away.
—Michael Snyder, New York Times, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clown
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clown
Noun
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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
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Once infused with the diabolical spirit, the guide is transformed into a buffoon, complete with a harlequin outfit—a mad joker and a dancing fool who does a little jig to the sound of a jazz trio.—
Richard Brody,
The New Yorker,
11 Mar. 2025
Verb
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But that sounds more like a corporate cost-cutting threat just masquerading as historical inevitability.—
Michael Serazio,
Time,
28 May 2025
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Trailing 1-0, nothing summed it up so well as Harry Maguire masquerading as a forward again, a Hail Mary that can only work so often.—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
22 May 2025
Verb
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Congress is currently debating a federal budget plan that could cut up to $1 billion from the National Park Service.—
Trevor Hughes,
USA Today,
22 May 2025
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Original price: $499.99 (Amazon) The Greenworks 21-inch lawn mower runs on batteries, and can cut up to half an acre on a full charge.—
Christopher Murray,
FOXNews.com,
28 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Read: Comedy’s most erudite buffoon Mulaney has many advantages at Netflix that his conventional-television peers don’t, however.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
7 Apr. 2025
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Once infused with the diabolical spirit, the guide is transformed into a buffoon, complete with a harlequin outfit—a mad joker and a dancing fool who does a little jig to the sound of a jazz trio.—
Richard Brody,
The New Yorker,
11 Mar. 2025
Noun
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As part of Gabriel’s solution to showing Ansari’s character that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side of the Hollywood, the well-meaning angel body-swaps him with an uber-rich jerk, played by Seth Rogen.—
Charisma Madarang,
Rolling Stone,
28 May 2025
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The left horse just wanted to shamble along, while the right horse pulled with frantic jerks.—
Louise Erdrich,
New Yorker,
25 May 2025
Verb
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One of the others mimed palming the girl’s rear while the third snapped a photo.—
Dan Greene,
New Yorker,
26 May 2025
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Through clowning and miming, Neill tries to eat a cupcake with a dog collar on, play the guitar and face his own fears — even encouraging the audience to hurl insults at him during one part of the show.—
Patrick Connolly,
The Orlando Sentinel,
15 May 2025
Verb
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Four people are facing charges in Louisiana for horsing around in a small-town Walmart last week. Video that was posted on TikTok and went viral on social media showed three men and a teenage boy riding horses through the business in Baker, Louisiana.—
Elizabeth Pritchett,
FOXNews.com,
16 Apr. 2025
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Quit horsing around — the Clydesdales are back!—
Breanne L. Heldman,
People.com,
10 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Shortly after Reubens’ death, former costars and fellow comedians shared their condolences and memories of the star.—
Keith Langston,
People.com,
25 May 2025
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The task of the comedian is to turn that pain into laughter.—
Belinda Luscombe,
Time,
23 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Clown.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clown. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.
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