caricature 1 of 2

1
as in parody
a poor, insincere, or insulting imitation of something that TV network's reporting is a mere caricature of real journalism

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in spoof
a work that imitates and exaggerates another work for comic effect the artist creates caricatures of famous paintings by replacing humans with cats

Synonyms & Similar Words

3

caricature

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun caricature differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of caricature are burlesque, parody, and travesty. While all these words mean "a comic or grotesque imitation," caricature implies ludicrous exaggeration of the characteristic features of a subject.

caricatures of politicians in cartoons

When might burlesque be a better fit than caricature?

The meanings of burlesque and caricature largely overlap; however, 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 parody take the place of caricature?

The synonyms parody and caricature 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 travesty a more appropriate choice than caricature?

The words travesty and caricature are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 caricature
Noun
Viewers looked forward to their weekly check-in with Akil’s characters, who are as flawed and resilient as real people, neither Shonda levels of chaotic nor reality-TV caricatures. Jazmine Hughes, Vulture, 2 May 2025 Every polished shoe and pinstripe was a rebuttal to the caricatures surrounding him. Achille Tenkiang, Vogue, 24 Apr. 2025
Verb
Critics have caricatured the Adams plan as a giveaway to developers that will let light and sky-stealing high-rises lord over lower-density housing, rendering neighborhoods unrecognizable. New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 5 Dec. 2024 The connection between Nafisi and Bahri is presented with complexity and without sentimentality, neither papering over political differences nor caricaturing Bahri as a generic revolutionary. Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 26 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for caricature
Recent Examples of Synonyms for caricature
Noun
  • Ferrell's Ricky Bobby also serves as a pitch-perfect parody of the ego-driven, preening male protagonists of many a racing film.
    James Mercadante, EW.com, 20 May 2025
  • Saturday Night Live's best car sketches, parodies and fake ads Who is in the Season 50 'SNL' cast?
    Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 16 May 2025
Noun
  • Most now proactively educate their customers on how to spot a scam, which personal information to never give out and what to do with a spoof email.
    Lauren Crystal, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025
  • On the schedule is shooting an AMP spoof of Storage Wars, as well as AMP Jeopardy.
    Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 8 May 2025
Noun
  • Akasha looked up the drug online and read that a single dose was equivalent to 300 hits of acid—an exaggeration, but one that got his attention.
    Andy Greenberg, Wired News, 22 May 2025
  • At least from speaking with him upon his arrival in Kansas City for rookie camp, that didn’t seem to be an exaggeration.
    Vahe Gregorian, Kansas City Star, 21 May 2025
Verb
  • Read: The attack on trans rights won’t end there The impossible becoming possible is a hard thing to process—and easier to reject or mock than to understand.
    Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 22 May 2025
  • Film director Wes Anderson mocked President Donald Trump over his plan to slap tariffs on foreign films made outside of the United States.
    Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 May 2025
Noun
  • The vibes are confusing, the itinerary is unclear, and Drew—ever the queen of chaos—jokes that naked bears might be involved.
    Shelby Stewart, Essence, 25 May 2025
  • Think light beer, string lights, pizza, a cake with a callback to a joke from the show on it.
    Kelly Stout, Rolling Stone, 25 May 2025
Noun
  • Oscar Contenders Emerging From First Half Include 'Nouvelle Vague' and Jennifer Lawrence for 'Die My Love' Adding to that pressure, most of the guest stars showed up to the first season of the Hollywood satire to play themselves under heightened circumstances.
    Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 21 May 2025
  • Featuring David Carradine and Sylvester Stallone, the film stabs at political satire but is best enjoyed for its visceral campy pleasures.
    James Mercadante, EW.com, 20 May 2025
Noun
  • In January, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration has targeted food dyes in recent months, banning a dye called Red 3 and working to remove eight synthetic food colorings from the food supply, according to an April news release.
    Fielding Buck, Oc Register, 14 May 2025
  • Turmeric, with its bright orange-yellow color, is widely used as a food coloring and flavoring agent.
    Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 8 May 2025
Verb
  • At Cruise’s behest, McQuarrie’s stunts imitate the most primitive filmmaking — not the awe-inspiring magic of Georges Méliès but the Lumière brothers’ rudimentary documentation of action.
    Armond White, National Review, 23 May 2025
  • Walton imitated the big-box retail store and located them in small towns.
    Dileep Rao, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Caricature.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/caricature. Accessed 28 May. 2025.

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