clowning 1 of 2

noun

Definition of clowningnext
as in joking
wildly playful or mischievous behavior our coworker's clowning was distracting, but fun to watch

Synonyms & Similar Words

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clowning

2 of 2

verb

present participle of clown
1
as in miming

Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in cutting up

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Examples Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for clowning
  1. buffoonery
  2. clownery
  3. tomfoolery
  4. horseplay
  5. slapstick
Noun
  • Famously, Tommy Lee Jones could not sanction Jim Carrey’s buffoonery on Batman Forever.
    Bethy Squires, Vulture, 2 Oct. 2024
  • But conservatism ought not to be equated with populist buffoonery and mendacity.
    Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 14 Oct. 2024
Definition of buffoonery
Noun
  • 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.
    Vulture, Vulture, 29 Apr. 2022
  • The Winx Club live action is a big clownery!
    Olivia Truffaut-Wong, refinery29.com, 25 Jan. 2021
Definition of clownery
Noun
  • 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
  • But hey, at least her particular brand of right-wing tomfoolery isn’t headed down under.
    Abby Monteil, Them, 28 Oct. 2024
Definition of tomfoolery
Noun
  • On my gondola, however, horseplay is not only encouraged, it is required.
    Frederick Dreier, Outside Online, 24 Sep. 2024
  • Prosecutors allege Alec Baldwin engaged in ‘horseplay’ and acted recklessly on ‘Rust’ set.
    Colleen Shalby, Los Angeles Times, 21 June 2024
Definition of horseplay
Noun
  • Inspired by Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, the film offers a clever and modern twist on the classic mistaken identity trope, blending slapstick comedy with moments of genuine heart.
    Jane LaCroix, People.com, 2 Nov. 2024
  • Advertisement The Yankees’ fifth-inning defensive meltdown was pure, Charlie Chaplin-caliber slapstick comedy.
    Noah Goldberg, Los Angeles Times, 31 Oct. 2024
Definition of slapstick
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.

Thesaurus Entries Near clowning

clownery

clowning

clowning (around)

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Cite this Entry

“Clowning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clowning. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

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Nglish: Translation of clowning for Spanish Speakers

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