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as in clown
a person formerly kept in a royal or noble household to amuse with jests and pranks the king called for some much-needed entertainment from his jester

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of jester Art the Clown is back for one last terrifying ride, which will provide horror fans closure on the murderous jester’s arc. Glenn Garner, Deadline, 29 Jan. 2025 Precisely what function Brit comedian Tim Key has as a kind of court jester in a giant pigeon suit is anybody’s guess. David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Feb. 2025 In the evening, fire dancers, jesters, and musicians take to the streets with spectacular performances. Carissa & Dino Tozzi, Travel + Leisure, 10 Feb. 2025 As the two moved through the scenes like a pair of tragic jesters, delighting the wide-eyed and annoying the cynics. Elise Taylor, Vogue, 16 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for jester
Recent Examples of Synonyms for jester
Noun
  • Over 20 tracks Burnham (who was already a successful comedian and filmmaker prior to this Netflix special, though entirely unknown to me) captures the experience of living through the pandemic in a way that felt both blisteringly funny and devastatingly honest.
    Vogue, Vogue, 14 Mar. 2025
  • The comedian and former Saturday Night Live writer always gushes about his children and his wife Olivia Munn, but how did his weddings go down?
    Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 13 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • In Eli Craig’s (Tucker & Dale vs Evil) newest outing, the real fun starts when Frendo the clown comes out to play.
    Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 6 Mar. 2025
  • She’s costumed like a clown, but her screenplay is as confident as an antihero’s cleverest heist.
    Amy Nicholson, Twin Cities, 1 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • 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
  • The two murderers point fingers at one another, then end up teaming up to go fool Lottie’s poor elderly father.
    Erin Qualey, Vulture, 7 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • 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
  • But this harlequin moll can’t match Joker’s lunacy as either lawbreaker or musician.
    Armond White, National Review, 29 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • 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
  • Even the jokers, which do each have their own special ability, are quick to pick up — with their wildcard capabilities made easy to understand as they’re applied mid-round.
    Scott Robertson, Rolling Stone, 24 Dec. 2024

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Cite this Entry

“Jester.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jester. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

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