CLOWNISH Synonyms: 43 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'clownish' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of clownish are boorish , churlish , and loutish . While all these words mean "uncouth in manners or appearance," clownish suggests ill-bred awkwardness, ignorance or stupidity, ungainliness, and often a propensity for absurd antics. // an adolescent's clownish conduct

Q: When could 'boorish' be used to replace 'clownish'?

The meanings of boorish and clownish largely overlap; however, boorish implies rudeness of manner due to insensitiveness to others' feelings and unwillingness to be agreeable. // a drunk's boorish behavior

Q: Where would 'churlish' be a reasonable alternative to 'clownish'?

The synonyms churlish and clownish are sometimes interchangeable, but churlish suggests surliness, unresponsiveness, and ungraciousness. // churlish remarks

Q: In what contexts can 'loutish' take the place of 'clownish'?

Although the words loutish and clownish have much in common, loutish implies bodily awkwardness together with stupidity. // a loutish oaf

clownish

adjective

ˈklau̇-nish

Definition of clownish next

as in boorish

having or showing crudely insensitive or impolite manners the clownish antics of some of the teenagers at the wedding reception

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How does the adjective clownish differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of clownish are boorish, churlish, and loutish. While all these words mean "uncouth in manners or appearance," clownish suggests ill-bred awkwardness, ignorance or stupidity, ungainliness, and often a propensity for absurd antics.

an adolescent's clownish conduct

When could boorish be used to replace clownish?

The meanings of boorish and clownish largely overlap; however, boorish implies rudeness of manner due to insensitiveness to others' feelings and unwillingness to be agreeable.

a drunk's boorish behavior

Where would churlish be a reasonable alternative to clownish?

The synonyms churlish and clownish are sometimes interchangeable, but churlish suggests surliness, unresponsiveness, and ungraciousness.

churlish remarks

In what contexts can loutish take the place of clownish?

Although the words loutish and clownish have much in common, loutish implies bodily awkwardness together with stupidity.

a loutish oaf

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 clownish Over the coming days, the owners of Four Seasons Total Landscaping did their patriotic duty and cashed in on their temporary notoriety, selling souvenirs to commemorate the fiasco; to Trump’s detractors, the debacle epitomized the clownish incompetence that had defined his presidency. —

Meredith Blake, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2024 Characters like Felix and Oswald have kind of an unfortunate connection to theater insofar as they’re associated with blackface minstrelsy—the notoriously racist form of stage performance where actors would blacken their faces, wear white gloves, and perform clownish antics. —

Tim Brinkhof, JSTOR Daily, 9 Oct. 2024 If the silly Elm Street sequels turned Freddy into a clownish figure, then his metaphysical inspiration will emerge darker and crueler than could be imagined on the safety of a film set. —

Rory Doherty, Vulture, 28 June 2024 Everyone wants to see this clownish, larger-than-life villain. —

Peter Rainer, The Christian Science Monitor, 4 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for clownish

Recent Examples of Synonyms for clownish

Adjective

McCarthy gives a great performance, playing up the press secretary’s more boorish traits as a gum-guzzling loudmouth that mangles words and twists facts like pretzels.

— Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 11 Feb. 2025
Unlike their boorish, booing counterparts in Philadelphia, Chiefs fans are known for their hospitality and actually welcome opposing fans to join their barbecuing paradise at Sunday tailgates.

— Mike Bianchi, Orlando Sentinel, 8 Feb. 2025