as in clowning
wildly playful or mischievous behavior
it was clownery like that that resulted in an expensive vase being broken
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of clownery
Tirhakah Love is a senior writer at New York Magazine and the host of the new evening newsletter Dinner Party, a daily email that touches on all things entertainment — that means film, television, music, tech, and gaming — plus politics and corporate clownery.
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Vulture, 29 Apr. 2022
The Winx Club live action is a big clownery!
—Olivia Truffaut-Wong, refinery29.com, 25 Jan. 2021
Allow Yahya Abdul-Mateen II to clarify his remarks about Aquaman being the work of clowns with… some clownery.
—Jessica Wang, EW.com, 1 Sep. 2022
As for Abdul-Mateen, the clownery will resume for him on Broadway.
—Jessica Wang, EW.com, 1 Sep. 2022
Chronicle Books In the world of clownery, tradition has long dictated that a clown must never steal another clown’s look.
—Constance Grady, Vox, 20 Aug. 2018
Seems as if the airlines are still clowning and being targeted with lawsuits because of the clownery.
—Breanna Edwards, The Root, 14 May 2018
DeVos, the country’s most useless white woman and a case study for how institutions both favor and are eroded by white mediocrity, became the literal face of clownery following the appalling interview.
—Anne Branigin, The Root, 12 Mar. 2018
Either one of his performances would have been noteworthy, but that the same person should be playing both parts (as well as that of Mr. Wickham) is a truly stupendous piece of quick-change clownery.
—Terry Teachout, WSJ, 6 July 2017
Vulture, 29 Apr. 2022
The Winx Club live action is a big clownery!
—Olivia Truffaut-Wong, refinery29.com, 25 Jan. 2021
Allow Yahya Abdul-Mateen II to clarify his remarks about Aquaman being the work of clowns with… some clownery.
—Jessica Wang, EW.com, 1 Sep. 2022
As for Abdul-Mateen, the clownery will resume for him on Broadway.
—Jessica Wang, EW.com, 1 Sep. 2022
Chronicle Books In the world of clownery, tradition has long dictated that a clown must never steal another clown’s look.
—Constance Grady, Vox, 20 Aug. 2018
Seems as if the airlines are still clowning and being targeted with lawsuits because of the clownery.
—Breanna Edwards, The Root, 14 May 2018
DeVos, the country’s most useless white woman and a case study for how institutions both favor and are eroded by white mediocrity, became the literal face of clownery following the appalling interview.
—Anne Branigin, The Root, 12 Mar. 2018
Either one of his performances would have been noteworthy, but that the same person should be playing both parts (as well as that of Mr. Wickham) is a truly stupendous piece of quick-change clownery.
—Terry Teachout, WSJ, 6 July 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clownery
Noun
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Famously, Tommy Lee Jones could not sanction Jim Carrey’s buffoonery on Batman Forever.Bethy Squires, Vulture, 2 Oct. 2024
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But conservatism ought not to be equated with populist buffoonery and mendacity.Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 14 Oct. 2024
Noun
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This sweet 1978-82 CBS sitcom had plenty of workplace comedic tomfoolery, but none was more shocking and hilarious than the ending of this absurd Thanksgiving story.Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, 21 Nov. 2024
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But hey, at least her particular brand of right-wing tomfoolery isn’t headed down under.Abby Monteil, Them, 28 Oct. 2024
Noun
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On my gondola, however, horseplay is not only encouraged, it is required.Frederick Dreier, Outside Online, 24 Sep. 2024
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Prosecutors allege Alec Baldwin engaged in ‘horseplay’ and acted recklessly on ‘Rust’ set.Colleen Shalby, Los Angeles Times, 21 June 2024
Noun
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Theo James and Theo James are getting into some serious monkey business.Nick Romano, EW.com, 12 Aug. 2024
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But there was some monkey business during his very first scene that gave him pause.Sydney Bucksbaum, EW.com, 10 May 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near clownery
Cite this Entry
“Clownery.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clownery. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
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