burlesque 1 of 2

as in parody
a work that imitates and exaggerates another work for comic effect it is interesting to note that the first novel ever written in English was followed by a burlesque of it

Synonyms & Similar Words

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burlesque

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun burlesque differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of burlesque are caricature, parody, and travesty. While all these words mean "a comic or grotesque imitation," burlesque implies mockery especially through giving a serious or lofty subject a frivolous treatment.

a nightclub burlesque of a trial in court

In what contexts can caricature take the place of burlesque?

The words caricature and burlesque are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, caricature implies ludicrous exaggeration of the characteristic features of a subject.

caricatures of politicians in cartoons

When might parody be a better fit than burlesque?

The synonyms parody and burlesque are sometimes interchangeable, but parody applies especially to treatment of a trivial or ludicrous subject in the exactly imitated style of a well-known author or work.

a witty parody of a popular novel

When is it sensible to use travesty instead of burlesque?

The meanings of travesty and burlesque largely overlap; however, travesty implies that the subject remains unchanged but that the style is extravagant or absurd.

this production is a travesty of the opera

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 burlesque
Noun
In addition to being a place to drink and do karaoke, Vern’s offered live entertainment, including burlesque shows and drag performances, held sip-and-paint classes and other events, and most recently hosted an adult Easter egg hunt. Gloria Casas, Chicago Tribune, 8 May 2025 Later that night, dozens of women took the stage to showcase their skills, from fire-spinning burlesque to music and comedy, during a talent show. Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 16 Apr. 2025
Verb
During that visit, Manson spoke about his friendship with French-Chilean artist Alejandro Jodorowsky, who lived in Mexico during the 1970s and 1980s and officiated Manson’s wedding to burlesque performer Dita Von Teese in Ireland in 2005. Natalia Cano, Billboard, 11 Aug. 2025 That Dyer burlesque—of self-ravelling and unravelling—stretched across a memoir (though the narrative essentially ends at twenty-one) quickly takes on a quality of mock-heroic completism. James Wood, New Yorker, 14 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for burlesque
Recent Examples of Synonyms for burlesque
Noun
  • Her only acting credit so far is a short parody sketch called AI Commissioner.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Aimee Lou Wood doesn’t regret criticizing Saturday Night Live over their parody of her character on The White Lotus.
    McKinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 30 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The ability to criticize, question, protest, and even mock those in power is foundational to what America has always aspired to be.
    Greg Evans, Deadline, 1 Oct. 2025
  • After the White House meeting, the president posted a cartoonish fake video mocking the Democratic leadership that was widely viewed as unserious and racist.
    Mary Clare Jalonick, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Moranis, Zuniga, Pullman, Brooks, and Wyner are set to reprise their iconic roles in the sequel to the 1987 sci-fi spoof, with Gad, Palmer, Lewis Pullman, and Anthony Carrigan playing new, undisclosed characters.
    Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Sep. 2025
  • Alan Dershowitz, the famed attorney who once counted Epstein as a client, submitted a spoof cover of Vanity Fair, tweaked as Vanity Unfair, with fake headlines speculating that Epstein was Jack the Ripper and had financed the terrorist group Al Qaeda.
    Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The fact that these programs are becoming adept at imitating consciousness, however, may be all that matters for now.
    Webb Wright, The Atlantic, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Multiple images of Trump then pop up behind the New York lawmaker seemingly to imitate a mariachi band.
    Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Free speech covers the jokes, the satire, the parodies—even the dumb, crass, or offensive ones.
    Lizz Winstead, Time, 27 Sep. 2025
  • Its themes and political satire definitely feel of the moment, but what’s explosive doesn’t always equate to propulsive.
    Brian Truitt, USA Today, 26 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Burlesque.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/burlesque. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.

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