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
And also … Jewels calibrates her performance to be finale-level, delivering something exciting, and, notably, her reveals have a strong point of view based in burlesque. Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 19 Apr. 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
  • Young Frankenstein is a parody of the horror genre, drawing inspiration from Mary Shelley’s 1818 novel, Frankenstein.
    Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 2 Sep. 2025
  • André settles in for a minute, riffing with O’Brien about his own series, a parody of late-night talk shows, which had recently premièred on Adult Swim.
    Chris Almeida, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Lopez noted and mocked Johnson’s comments, sarcastically asking why the mayor didn’t blame it on other historic phenomena.
    Washington Examiner Staff, The Washington Examiner, 4 Sep. 2025
  • For Gen Z, shaped by a hyper-online upbringing where missteps are often amplified and mocked, being obviously earnest can feel risky.
    Ruth Oh Reitmeier, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Other early influences included a stint assisting Ken Shapiro, director of 1974’s pre-SNL sketch spoof The Groove Tube.
    Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 27 Aug. 2025
  • Valcq's musical, a spoof of 1950s science-fiction movies, was first staged at the Skylight, had a Milwaukee setting and was filled with Milwaukee references.
    Jim Higgins, jsonline.com, 20 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Perhaps, but no machine can imitate my imagination or the memories that pour through me, or feel the fear of extinguishment.
    Adam Verner September 3, Literary Hub, 3 Sep. 2025
  • Sometimes art imitates life by skipping a generation.
    Lisa Respers France, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Shot on a real-life lavish Utah estate, Mountainhead is another modern satire from Succession creator Jesse Armstrong — who reunited with that HBO drama’s composer Nicholas Britell for more unforgettable music.
    Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Comedian John Early’s directorial debut, ostensibly a pastiche of basic-cable TV movies, is not a parody, or a satire, or even a comedy.
    Sam Bodrojan, IndieWire, 7 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Burlesque.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/burlesque. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.

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