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
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Recent Examples of clown
Rebecca Deurlein, Southern Living, 22 July 2025
Over time, Osbourne leaned into the story, clowning around with fake bats onstage, and eventually releasing a plush bat toy.
—Jordan Hoffman, EW.com, 22 July 2025
Chuck Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Aug. 2025
That trove included more than 300 black-and-white photographs, shared via JSTOR, which capture both Lulu the woman and Lulu the clown, though Lulu would have quibbled with the distinction.
—April White, JSTOR Daily, 18 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clown
Noun
That’s thanks to Toby’s Clown School, where people come from all over the world to train in the art of clowning.
—Rebecca Deurlein, Southern Living, 22 July 2025
Over time, Osbourne leaned into the story, clowning around with fake bats onstage, and eventually releasing a plush bat toy.
—Jordan Hoffman, EW.com, 22 July 2025
Verb
The amazing thing is that this clown show Rube Goldberg machine isn't just something that is on paper.
—Chuck Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Aug. 2025
That trove included more than 300 black-and-white photographs, shared via JSTOR, which capture both Lulu the woman and Lulu the clown, though Lulu would have quibbled with the distinction.
—April White, JSTOR Daily, 18 Aug. 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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Pity the poor actor who has to co-star opposite a 150-pound harlequin Great Dane.—
Peter Rainer,
Christian Science Monitor,
3 Apr. 2025
Verb
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One of Dubin’s most striking insights is that blind spots often masquerade as strengths.—
Rodger Dean Duncan,
Forbes.com,
2 Sep. 2025
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Mathematicians have unraveled a key conjecture about knot theory Scanning the crowd at a fancy soiree may reveal a wide array of neckties, each fastened with a highly complex mathematical object masquerading as fashion.—
Max Springer,
Scientific American,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Born Drew Desbordes, Druski, 30, is a long way from the kid who spent his time at the dinner table cutting up.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
4 Sep. 2025
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Nobody wants to get their hands cut up by a downward moving blade.—
Vilius Kavaliauskas,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
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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
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Pepper-like buffoon and the style is best described as a blend of Monty Python and Howard Zinn.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
15 June 2025
Noun
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Cianfrance supplies a real jerk of a manager in Peter Dinklage’s Mitch, on whom Jeffrey spies by setting up baby monitors in the back office.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
7 Sep. 2025
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Imagine smoky jerk chicken cooked to perfection on an open-flame at a roadside shack, beckoning you to stop by for a mouthwatering bite.—
Martie Bowser,
Miami Herald,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Dell mimed the physical act of branding cattle to indicate the importance of loyalty.—
Antonia Hitchens,
New Yorker,
25 Aug. 2025
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Swift said, miming Jason holding up his beer can.—
Rachel McRady,
People.com,
14 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Running or horsing around with sparklers can also cause injuries and burns when users trip and fall.—
Justin Laube,
EverydayHealth.com,
2 July 2025
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Heath Ryan, who represented Australia in dressage at the 2008 Olympics, can be seen in the video – which the rider said is about two years old – hitting a horse around 40 times.—
Matias Grez,
CNN Money,
13 June 2025
Noun
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Stand-up comedian Ken Flores died in January at the age of 28 as a result of cocaine toxicity.—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
6 Sep. 2025
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All were gathered for comedian and actor Mike Epps' second annual free community concert at Washington Park — an event focused on supporting the positive impacts of art and culture on mental health and well-being, especially in the Black community.—
Jade Jackson,
IndyStar,
6 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Clown.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clown. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.
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