How to Use harlequin in a Sentence

harlequin

noun
  • This leather pair, covered with jewels arranged in a harlequin pattern, is a unique spin on the trend.
    — Esme Benjamin, Peoplemag, 16 July 2024
  • Their most poignant find was this dead female harlequin frog splayed in the shallow waters with a male trying to mate with her.
    — Discover Staff, Discover Magazine, 24 May 2016
  • Visiting the mountain cloud forests, which once echoed with the chirps of harlequin frogs, they were struck by the silence.
    — Erik Stokstad, Science | AAAS, 19 July 2017
  • Several great blue herons stood on the more distant one, while harlequin ducks rested on the one closest to us.
    — Emilie C. Harting, Philly.com, 8 Mar. 2018
  • One of the most striking types of anuran, the variable harlequin frog, is on the brink of extinction.
    — Ryan P. Smith, Smithsonian, 2 Feb. 2018
  • Their target is dressed similar to a harlequin, with a hefty wooden face and head mask painted red, black and white.
    — Washington Post, 26 Jan. 2020
  • These are harlequin bugs whose pierce-and-suck feeding makes white spots or, in heavy infestations, makes leaves wilt, turn brown and die.
    — Ellen Nibali, baltimoresun.com, 22 Oct. 2020
  • While harlequin-style gowns came in just three colors — black, white and muted red – toying with color blocking.
    — Thomas Adamson, ajc, 2 Mar. 2023
  • The foyer has ceramic tiles in a black-and-white harlequin pattern and main stairs made of solid cherry.
    — Judy Rose, Detroit Free Press, 13 Mar. 2021
  • Choose from five different colors ranging from neutrals like brown and black to brighter pops like coral and turquoise, all in a harlequin pattern.
    — Jamie Weissman, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 June 2023
  • Shield bugs are also known as jewel bugs for their iridescent colors, like the cotton harlequin and the rainbow shield bug.
    — National Geographic, 23 June 2018
  • Male Santa Marta harlequin toads will piggyback on their mate for months before egg meets sperm.
    — Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 14 Mar. 2022
  • Pity the poor actor who has to co-star opposite a 150-pound harlequin Great Dane.
    — Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor, 3 Apr. 2025
  • The colorful harlequin pattern was brought to life by Swarovski crystals, while the legs of the sparkling garment flared out over a pair of white boots.
    — Oscar Holland, CNN, 6 Feb. 2023
  • Same goes for a gown that begins, at the neck, with a tense crosshatch pattern that expands slowly down the body into full-scale harlequin diamonds.
    — Rachel Tashjian, Harper's BAZAAR, 27 Jan. 2023
  • These days, costumes range from fairy-tale characters, clowns and harlequins to Napoleonic soldiers and celebrities.
    — Matt Ralphs, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Oct. 2024
  • Arkham video game series took Harley out of her harlequin jumpsuit for the first time and put her in a nurse's outfit, which was then accessorized with a leather corset and clown-like makeup.
    — Corinne Sullivan, Good Housekeeping, 26 Aug. 2022
  • References to clowns, those happy/sad jesters of these traveling troupes, extended beyond the makeup to the clothes, some of which featured ruffs and harlequin patterns.
    — Laird Borrelli-Persson, Vogue, 21 Jan. 2019
  • Rather than the usual crisscross pattern, Holmes’ sweater features solid block diamonds in bold colors for a harlequin look that is honestly a breath of fresh air.
    — Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 27 Jan. 2026
  • Alicia Barber gave birth to Jamison Stam, who has harlequin ichthyosis, in May of 2017.
    — Ashley May, USA TODAY, 21 June 2018
  • The first half of the whopping 95 looks was a monochrome palette of black and cream, with shimmering suits, harlequin checks and delicate blouses with dramatic cape sleeves.
    — Rhonda Richford, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 July 2018
  • Then there was Jon Batiste, who made his entrance in a silver, gold and black harlequin sequin suit in honor of New Orleans, his hometown.
    — New York Times, 4 Apr. 2022
  • For the event, Kaling donned a strapless Elie Saab gown covered in crystal embroidery, which included a harlequin pattern and a sheer skirt.
    — Hannah Malach, InStyle, 27 May 2026
  • Traditional European harlequins Yanina and Sergey have trained a fleet of pups to jump through hoops, climb up ladders and leap straight into the hearts of children.
    — Trevor Fraser, orlandosentinel.com, 10 July 2019
  • In these respects, apart from the harlequin excesses of his Stalinism, Cowley is terrifically sound.
    — Vince Passaro, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
  • There were several gorgeous gowns, too—in hot pink ruched tulle with daisy appliques, micro pleated harlequin Lurex, or ivory tulle with circus motifs, all of which should add to Moschino’s red-carpet prospects.
    — Booth Moore, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 June 2018
  • Bouquets of harlequin flowers and handwritten signs blanketed the entrance of Gold Spa, the bright colors standing out against the salon’s dim interior.
    — NBC News, 22 Mar. 2021
  • Dior presented a fancy clown collar inspired by the wardrobe of Josephine Baker, while Armani Privé fully devoted itself to sparkling harlequin prints and patterns.
    — Kristen Bateman, ELLE, 28 Mar. 2023
  • Pairing a lilac and yellow harlequin cardigan and coordinating miniskirt from Versace with Jeffrey Campbell boots, Ziwe masters the art of high-low styles.
    — Madeline Fass, Vogue, 15 Nov. 2022
  • In the late 1980s, habitat destruction in the cloud forests, which carpet the lower slopes of the Ecuadorian Andes, caused catastrophe for the Atelopus genus, also known as harlequin frogs.
    — Gabe Allen, Discover Magazine, 4 Oct. 2022

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'harlequin.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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