1
as in harlequins
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 bastards
a person whose behavior is offensive to others
you should stay away from that clown
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of clowns
Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2026
Plot details are being kept under wraps, though the film has been described as a four-quadrant coming-of-age comedy set in the world of funny and evil clowns.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 7 Apr. 2026
From ringmasters and lions to clowns and mimes, everyone went all out with their party attire.
—Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 6 Apr. 2026
When Feld Entertainment unveiled a new edition of the circus with much fanfare in 2023, the only animal in it was a mechanical robot dog and while there was some comedy, traditional circus clowns were not a part of it.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 5 Apr. 2026
Fashion has long taken inspiration from the clowns, as my colleague Laird Borrelli-Persson noted.
—Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 1 Apr. 2026
Performances and stunts are delivered by international acrobats and clowns during music and light shows.
—Abby Hamblin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026
How did clowns become a protest symbol?
—Janet W. Lee, NPR, 5 Mar. 2026
And, yeah, it’s run by unworthy—the clowns are the best one.
—David Frum, The Atlantic, 4 Mar. 2026
Noun
Once completed, the $5 million acquisition will ensure the theater has a permanent home, a place where skateboarding clowns and leek-haired onions can continue to frolic and dance for decades to come.
—Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2026
Plot details are being kept under wraps, though the film has been described as a four-quadrant coming-of-age comedy set in the world of funny and evil clowns.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 7 Apr. 2026
From ringmasters and lions to clowns and mimes, everyone went all out with their party attire.
—Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 6 Apr. 2026
When Feld Entertainment unveiled a new edition of the circus with much fanfare in 2023, the only animal in it was a mechanical robot dog and while there was some comedy, traditional circus clowns were not a part of it.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 5 Apr. 2026
Fashion has long taken inspiration from the clowns, as my colleague Laird Borrelli-Persson noted.
—Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 1 Apr. 2026
Performances and stunts are delivered by international acrobats and clowns during music and light shows.
—Abby Hamblin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026
How did clowns become a protest symbol?
—Janet W. Lee, NPR, 5 Mar. 2026
And, yeah, it’s run by unworthy—the clowns are the best one.
—David Frum, The Atlantic, 4 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clowns
Noun
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The two buffoons shave her head, chain her in the basement of a messy remote home and then accuse her of being an alien.—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
22 Oct. 2025
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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
Noun
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In recent years, Ed Sheeran slipped behind the counter, gamely slinging dogs and taking his fair share of abuse from the staff.—
Jimmy Jellinek,
SPIN,
27 Apr. 2026
-
The state law relies on federal oversight, but even those who meet USDA standards can breed dogs in conditions that would shock most of us.—
Annie Hornish,
Hartford Courant,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The new congressional map in Virginia effectively cuts up the state’s 11 House districts to give Democrats an advantage in 10 of them.—
Joseph Konig,
PEOPLE,
22 Apr. 2026
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How to Prune Viburnum Use sharp hand pruners for smaller cuts up to the diameter of a pencil, and loppers or a pruning saw for larger cuts.—
Luke Miller,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Starting April 29, fans can snag $30 tickets to more than 4,000 concerts, including artists Charlie Puth, Empire of the Sun, Evanescence, MGK, Luke Bryan, Zayn, the Pussycat Dolls, Goo Goo Dolls and even comedians, such as John Mulaney.—
Anna Tingley,
Variety,
27 Apr. 2026
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The show, which films at Joe Rogan’s Comedy Mothership in Austin, Texas, combines stand-up, improv and the classic comedy roast, with Hinchcliffe and a rotating slate of guest judge comedians roasting wannabe stand-ups seeking a minute to launch their act.—
Alex Weprin,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
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This was just the beginning of us young anarchists becoming judgmental jerks.—
Joseph Hudak,
Rolling Stone,
7 Apr. 2026
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In the new sequel, Grace teams with her estranged younger sister, Faith (Kathryn Newton), as they’re hunted by four elite families full of murderous jerks scrambling to become the High Seat of a Council that controls the world.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
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More importantly, this origin story of a movie and a movement apes the joie de moviemaking and the jazzy looseness of the original to an absolutely amazing degree, replicating an off-the-cuff feeling that’s more than a second-hand buzz.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
31 Oct. 2025
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There are high columns crawling with ivy, nearly 12 acres of rolling lawns, teensy windows with teensy shutters, and a diminutive pool house that apes a fairy-tale cottage.—
Adriane Quinlan,
Curbed,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Students are required to bring two full decks of cards including the jokers.—
Kris Slugg,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Jan. 2026
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The 166-piece set includes 36 dot, bam, and crack tiles, 12 dragons, 16 winds, 16 flowers, 10 jokers, and four blank spare tiles made from melamine.—
Maggie Horton,
PEOPLE,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
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This invites not only skunks, but also other unwanted visitors such as mice, opossums, and raccoons, says Anderson.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
24 Apr. 2026
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In the United States, dogs can get rabies if they are exposed to infected bats, raccoons, skunks and foxes.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Clowns.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clowns. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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