caricature

noun

car·i·ca·ture | \ˈker-i-kə-ˌchu̇r,

-ˌchər, -ˌtyu̇r, -ˌtu̇r, -ˈka-ri-\

Definition of caricature

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : exaggeration by means of often ludicrous distortion of parts or characteristics drew a caricature of the president

2 : a representation especially in literature or art that has the qualities of caricature His performance in the film was a caricature of a hard-boiled detective.

3 : a distortion so gross as to seem like caricature The kangaroo court was a caricature of justice.

caricature

verb

caricatured; caricaturing

Definition of caricature (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

: to make or draw a caricature of : represent in caricature the portrait caricatured its subject The comedian caricatured the governor as a pompous know-it-all.

Other Words from caricature Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about caricature

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Other Words from caricature

Noun

caricatural \ˌker-i-kə-ˈchu̇r-əl,

-ˈchər-, -ˈtyu̇r-, -ˈtu̇r-, -ˌka-ri- \ adjective

caricaturist \ˈker-i-kə-ˌchu̇r-ist,

-ˌchər-, -ˌtyu̇r-, -ˌtu̇r-, -ˈka-ri- \ noun

Choose the Right Synonym for caricature

Noun

caricature, burlesque, parody, travesty mean a comic or grotesque imitation. caricature implies ludicrous exaggeration of the characteristic features of a subject. caricatures of politicians in cartoons burlesque implies mockery especially through giving a serious or lofty subject a frivolous treatment. a nightclub burlesque of a trial in court 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 travesty implies that the subject remains unchanged but that the style is extravagant or absurd. this production is a travesty of the opera

Examples of caricature in a Sentence

Noun

An artist was doing caricatures in the park. His performance in the film was a caricature of a hard-boiled detective. The interview made her into a caricature of a struggling artist.

Verb

The press caricatured him as clumsy and forgetful. caricatured the supervisor's distinctive walk

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

We as black people have to be careful to not turn into a caricature. — Billboard, "David Banner Gets Candid About Hip-Hop's Instability and the Controversy Surrounding the 'N-Word'," 29 June 2018 Take part in the excitement and visit with the caricature artists, face painters, balloon artists, and more. — Staff Report, Houston Chronicle, "West University Place readies for Independence Day Bike Parade and Pool Party," 27 June 2018 The Bold Type dramatizes the lives of its three leads without turning any of the women into caricatures. — Hannah Giorgis, The Atlantic, "The Bold Type Delivers on Its Leads," 13 June 2018 This, friends, is what happens when utility fashion jumps the shark—when a love of Patagonia or Blundstone tips all the way into caricature. — Liz Raiss, GQ, "When High-Fashion Workwear Jumps the Shark," 24 Apr. 2018 Adam Schiff, after months of leaking, making grandiose false statements on cable TV, and getting punked by Russian comedians, is now a caricature. — Victor Davis Hanson, National Review, "Scandal, Corruption, Lawbreaking — And So What?," 13 Feb. 2018 Artists were onsite selling original works, including caricature art, handmade goats milk soap and wood carvings. — Patricia Dillon, Houston Chronicle, "Art enthusiasts celebrate, build camaraderie at ‘ArtFeel Live’ in The Woodlands," 29 June 2018 Some more modern designs are playful with caricatures depicting former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev and basketball legend Michael Jordan wearing his No. — Elizabeth Myong, Houston Chronicle, "Russians in Houston have diverse views on international affairs," 8 July 2018 The artist, best known for his fantastical depictions of debauchery and comedic contoured caricatures of subjects both real and imaginary, explains that the current unstable environment lends artists a creative advantage. — Dorian May, A-LIST, "Portrait of an Artist: George Condo," 5 July 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

In the West, Mr. Kim, 34, has often been caricatured as a chubby child toying with nuclear missiles. — New York Times, "Kim Jong-un’s Image Shift: From Nuclear Madman to Skillful Leader," 6 June 2018 You will be lynched, destroyed, caricatured by a committee of the U.S. Senate rather than hung from a tree. — Fox News, "Sekulow: Kavanaugh will be a brilliant Supreme Court justice," 10 July 2018 Spicer, who was known for his combative press briefings and was caricatured on ‘‘Saturday Night Live,’’ will be a spokesman and senior adviser to the group, which works to elect candidates who support the agenda of the president. — Washington Post, BostonGlobe.com, "Former White House press secretary Sean Spicer to serve as spokesman for Trump-aligned super PAC," 14 June 2018 Oprah is an obvious exception to this rule, and Iyanla Vanzant’s antics on Iyanla: Fix My Life are over the top and sometimes caricatured. — refinery29.com, "Red Table Talk Is The Best Thing To Happen To Facebook," 7 June 2018 Pougetoux—who was even caricatured for a new issue of satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo—has become the latest subject of France’s ongoing and intensifying battle over national identity. — Karina Piser, The New Republic, "Inside France’s Growing Identity War," 29 May 2018 MacPhisto was Bono’s way of caricaturing himself, a full-of-himself rock star embodying his own cartoon image. — Greg Kot, chicagotribune.com, "U2 : Beauty and bombast at United Center," 23 May 2018 Ted Kennedy has often been caricatured as a boorish drunk, but Clarke gives him an emotional depth that Kennedy’s detractors too often discount. — Alex Shephard, The New Republic, "The Eternal Return of the Kennedys," 30 Apr. 2018 To do all that would require a president to be largely hated by the Left, demonized by the media, and caricatured in popular culture — and few were willing to endure the commensurate ostracism. — Victor Davis Hanson, National Review, "President Nobama," 16 Jan. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'caricature.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.