as in hijinks
wildly playful or mischievous behavior
their madcap buffoonery turned the duo into the nation's hottest comedy act
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Recent Examples of buffoonery
But conservatism ought not to be equated with populist buffoonery and mendacity.
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Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 14 Oct. 2024
Many Americans and the institutions that cover him have grown so used to Trump—to his tirades, lies, and buffoonery—that his behavior can fade into the background of our cultural discourse, his shamelessness and unfitness for office taken almost for granted.
—Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 24 Sep. 2024
But in the Mad Max universe, such buffoonery is often a prelude to unspeakable evil.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 15 May 2024
When cast member John Amos, who played the no-nonsense father James Evans Sr., started complaining loudly about the buffoonery that was taking over the program, he was fired, and his character was killed off.
—Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 31 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for buffoonery 
Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 14 Oct. 2024
Many Americans and the institutions that cover him have grown so used to Trump—to his tirades, lies, and buffoonery—that his behavior can fade into the background of our cultural discourse, his shamelessness and unfitness for office taken almost for granted.
—Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 24 Sep. 2024
But in the Mad Max universe, such buffoonery is often a prelude to unspeakable evil.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 15 May 2024
When cast member John Amos, who played the no-nonsense father James Evans Sr., started complaining loudly about the buffoonery that was taking over the program, he was fired, and his character was killed off.
—Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 31 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for buffoonery
Recent Examples of Synonyms for buffoonery
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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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
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The Winx Club live action is a big clownery!Olivia Truffaut-Wong, refinery29.com, 25 Jan. 2021
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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Eric Andre, Tyler the Creator and Machine Gun Kelly all drop by to participate in the Jack-foolery.David Fear, Rolling Stone, 2 Feb. 2022
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The whole of humanity doesn’t fit tidily into three acts, even assuming as much frame-breaking foolery as Wilder allows.New York Times, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2022
Noun
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In each episode, Shaun tries to liven up mundane farm life with low-stakes schemes that eventually spiral into farcical, slapstick situations.Vikram Murthi, Vulture, 3 Jan. 2025
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Summer this year mixed slapstick ultra-violence with kid-friendly fare, with another massively successful July release in Despicable Me 4 also targeted to younger audiences.George Monastiriakos, Newsweek, 30 Dec. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Buffoonery.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/buffoonery. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.
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