burlesque

verb

burlesqued; burlesquing
Synonyms of burlesquenext

transitive verb

: to imitate in a humorous or derisive manner : mock
a work burlesquing Sherlock Holmes

intransitive verb

: to employ burlesque
a temptation to burlesque
burlesquer noun

Examples of burlesque in a Sentence

burlesquing the teacher's nervous tic isn't very nice
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Her dancers’ outfits were similarly intricate, from dogs to burlesque dancers to members of the circus. Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 11 Apr. 2026 One burlesqued the Oscar broadcast’s impending move to YouTube, in 2029. Richard Brody, New Yorker, 16 Mar. 2026 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 song doesn’t belong in a film that promotes the era’s social fragmentation and repeats fatuous antagonisms — burlesqued by Melissa McCarthy playing the sea world’s villainous white-witch octopus Ursula. Armond White, National Review, 26 May 2023 See All Example Sentences for burlesque

Word History

Etymology
First Known Use

1676, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of burlesque was in 1676

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Cite this Entry

“Burlesque.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/burlesque. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

burlesque

1 of 2 noun
bur·​lesque (ˌ)bər-ˈlesk How to pronounce burlesque (audio)
1
: a written or dramatic work that makes fun of something by making it appear ridiculous
2
: theatrical entertainment consisting of comic skits and dance
burlesque adjective

burlesque

2 of 2 verb
burlesqued; burlesquing
: to mock or make fun of through burlesque

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