caricature

1 of 2

noun

car·​i·​ca·​ture ˈker-i-kə-ˌchu̇r How to pronounce caricature (audio)
-ˌchər,
-ˌtyu̇r,
-ˌtu̇r,
ˈka-ri-
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.
caricatural
ˌker-i-kə-ˈchu̇r-əl How to pronounce caricature (audio)
-ˈchər-
-ˈtyu̇r-
-ˈtu̇r-
ˌka-ri-
adjective
caricaturist
ˈker-i-kə-ˌchu̇r-ist How to pronounce caricature (audio)
-ˌchər-
-ˌtyu̇r-
-ˌtu̇r-
ˈka-ri-
noun

caricature

2 of 2

verb

caricatured; caricaturing

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.
Choose the Right Synonym for caricature

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
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.
Noun
There’s a thinning line between that and caricature. Spin Team, SPIN, 28 Nov. 2024 Some interpreted the painting as a Jewish caricature, and condemned or praised it accordingly, which did nothing to stop Asher from paying Sargent to give his family the same treatment. Jackson Arn, The New Yorker, 21 Nov. 2024
Verb
Elegy thus belongs to an old and ignoble genre, one which caricatures the hillbilly for an audience’s titillation. Sarah Jones, Vulture, 15 July 2024 As is human nature, the two sides caricature each other and try to demonize each other. Caroline Mimbs Nyce, The Atlantic, 21 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for caricature 

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Italian caricatura, literally, act of loading, from caricare to load, from Late Latin carricare

First Known Use

Noun

1712, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

circa 1771, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of caricature was in 1712

Dictionary Entries Near caricature

Cite this Entry

“Caricature.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/caricature. Accessed 12 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

caricature

1 of 2 noun
car·​i·​ca·​ture ˈkar-i-kə-ˌchu̇(ə)r How to pronounce caricature (audio)
-ˌt(y)u̇(ə)r
1
: exaggeration of the actions, parts, or features of someone or something usually for comic or satirical effect
2
: something (as a drawing) produced by using caricature
3
: something that seems like a caricature

caricature

2 of 2 verb
caricatured; caricaturing
: to make or draw a caricature of
caricaturist
-ˌchu̇r-əst
-ˌt(y)u̇r-əst
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on caricature

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!