Synonyms of buffoon

buffoon

noun

(ˌ)bə-ˈfün 

as in clown

a comically dressed performer (as at a circus) who entertains with playful tricks and ridiculous behavior

the children at the birthday party giggled at the buffoon's silly tricks

Synonyms & Similar Words

• clown
• harlequin
• comedian
• buffo
• zany
• mime
• joker
• fool
• comic
• madcap
• jester
• wit
• antic
• cutup
• jokester
• gracioso
• motley
• droll
• humorist
• pantaloon
• farceur
• comedienne
• funnyman
• gagger
• mummer
• wag
• stand-up
• mimic
• second banana
• top banana
• gagman
• scaramouch
• gagster
• merry-andrew

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of buffoon

There's the aforementioned spinoff — which aired on NBC after debuting on Peacock — and The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins, the great new comedy in which Tracy Morgan plays a buffoon who isn't that dissimilar from Michael Scott. — Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 17 June 2026

Constanze, adoring the brilliance behind the buffoon, ensured a stable, kind home life. — Chip Bell, Forbes.com, 14 June 2026

Jerry is a buffoon whom Reggie embarrassed years ago on the field, and Reggie’s used to his hatred. — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 14 Apr. 2026

He is looked upon as a bloviating buffoon, not to be believed or taken seriously. — Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 11 Apr. 2026