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.

Bob returns often, and sometimes clownishly, to talk of redeeming himself, but the show is not simply ridiculing his narcissism or his vilifying as a patriarchal tool.

From The New Yorker • Aug. 10, 2018

Many nonreligious people find this prohibition alienating if not offensive, but in presenting himself clownishly struggling to remain polite, his self-deprecating joke tries to normalize it.

From New York Times • Jun. 13, 2018

As a boy, I thought the common hover fly was a clownishly bad mimic of a bee.

From Washington Post • Jan. 30, 2018

The late penalty conceded fairly clownishly by Marouane Fellaini, then converted by Leighton Baines, was the fifth goal Manchester United have conceded in the last 10 minutes of games this season, costing them eight points.

From The Guardian • Dec. 5, 2016

Gat bowed, foolishly, clownishly, and presented me with the book at the bottom of the pile: it was a novel by Jaclyn Moriarty.

From "We Were Liars" by E. Lockhart