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clowning

  • present participle of clown.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

But when it goes away, so do our nightly doses of Colbert’s affable clowning, the kind that irritates thin-skinned despots in a way other comics can’t quite match.

From Salon May 21, 2026

Zaalan loves how modern clowning embraces failure and emphasizes shared human experiences.

From Los Angeles Times Apr. 1, 2026

But for all that clowning, Mr. Leeke tells us, Luciano was dead serious about keeping the game safe.

From The Wall Street Journal Feb. 26, 2026

But too much clowning around might not look so smart.

From BBC Sep. 20, 2025

Alone with his son, he managed to control the furious tremor in his voice and to snarl at him that he was sick and tired of his clowning.

From "The House of the Spirits: A Novel" by Isabel Allende