clownish

adjective clown·ish \ ˈklau̇-nish \

Definition of clownish

: resembling or befitting a clown (as in ignorance and lack of sophistication)

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clownishly

adverb

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clownishness

noun

See clownish defined for English-language learners

Examples of clownish in a Sentence

the clownish antics of some of the teenagers at the wedding reception

Recent Examples of clownish from the Web

Lynch plays Dahmer as a high school senior, weird and clownish, but part of a group of friends that reveled in his oddities.

— courtney devores, charlotteobserver, "From Disney to Dahmer: R5 back on road as frontman Ross Lynch sheds his mouse ears," 28 June 2017
See below for several impressive takes on the equal parts chic and clownish makeup trend.

— kelsi zimmerman, Marie Claire, "Chic or Clownish? Pom Pom Makeup Is Now a Thing," 23 May 2017
That spirit apparently motivated many Trump voters, who didn’t mind that their tribune spoke in clownish generalities, possessed no relevant experience and exhibited an itchy trigger finger.

— franklin foer, New York Times, "Apocalypse Now: What’s Behind the Volatile Mood of Today’s American — and European — Voters," 13 Feb. 2017
Giving up after 146 years because it’s been surpassed by the much-more-thrilling and clownish Washington circus.

— kevin cusick, Twin Cities, "The Loop Ten: 1-16-17," 16 Jan. 2017
And a case in point of his something-for-everyone talents is exemplified in patterned shirt that takes a design that could be clownish in less capable hands (in this case polka dots) and blows it out (and up).

— GQ, "18 Ways to Upgrade Your Closet Right Now," 26 Oct. 2017
So will Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ clownish father, who needs his Twitter account burned alive at the stake.

— michael arceneaux, The Root, "Habanero Hitler Confirms the Obvious: Hillary Clinton’s Name Will Never Completely Go Away, Even if You Want it To," 20 Oct. 2017
Heck, even Anthony Scaramucci is moving to monetize his 10 days as the most clownish White House press secretary in history.

— michelle cottle, The Atlantic, "Accountability Is for Non-Celebrities," 21 Sep. 2017
The storied Batman villain, best portrayed by Heath Ledger in this 2012 film, has clownish roots that take a psychological and maniacal turn.

— kelly lawler, USA TODAY, "5 clown movies to binge-watch this weekend in honor of 'It'," 9 Sep. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'clownish.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of clownish

1563

clownish Synonyms

Synonyms

boorish, churlish, classless, cloddish, loutish, uncouth

Related Words

coarse, ill-bred, uncultivated, unpolished, unrefined, unsophisticated; tasteless, vulgar; beastly, bestial; doltish, oafish, stupid; discourteous, impolite, mannerless, misleared [chiefly Scottish], rude, uncivil, ungracious, unmannerly; awkward, ungainly

Near Antonyms

couth, cultivated, polished, refined, sophisticated, well-bred; classy, courtly, genteel, gentlemanly, ladylike; civil, courteous, polite

Synonym Discussion of clownish

boorish, churlish, loutish, clownish mean uncouth in manners or appearance. boorish implies rudeness of manner due to insensitiveness to others' feelings and unwillingness to be agreeable.