caricature 1 of 2

Definition of caricaturenext
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
The other women in the friends’ lives — primarily their mothers — don’t fare much better and are reduced to near-caricatures. Frank Rizzo, Variety, 23 Apr. 2026 The difficulty is creating space for a righteous character’s wisdom without reducing them to an angelic caricature. Literary Hub, 23 Apr. 2026
Verb
These changes have been caricatured as authoritarian and corrupt. James Broughel, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026 For years now, Europe has been caricatured as too divided to act, too lethargic to decide, too comfortable to think strategically. Fareed Zakaria, Washington Post, 15 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for caricature
Recent Examples of Synonyms for caricature
Noun
  • The whole conversation with that executive felt like a parody of my industry.
    Ryan O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 4 May 2026
  • His deadpan humor comes through most brilliantly in Game Boy Tetris (2013–19), a parody of the logic of optimization that underpins capitalist culture.
    Emily Watlington, ARTnews.com, 1 May 2026
Noun
  • Rather than focusing on the conspiracy theories Jones espoused, the new InfoWars will build its comedic base off a spoof of the old site’s predatory snake oil rackets.
    Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 29 Apr. 2026
  • That movie was an instant cult classic, a terrific spoof of modern-day music celebrity that was well received by critics.
    David Sims, The Atlantic, 27 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • And no, that isn’t an exaggeration.
    Rod Stafford Hagwood, Sun Sentinel, 30 Apr. 2026
  • Even referring to it as a national convention was an exaggeration, since any Stanley get‑together in Dallas would have been a regional rally with, at most, a few hundred salespeople.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Newspaper owners mocked the idea.
    Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 6 May 2026
  • Then again, the anti-Reese sentiment was equally as strong; a separate post that mocked her shooting stats from that April 29 exhibition game generated just as much engagement.
    Candace Buckner, New York Times, 4 May 2026
Noun
  • As the Ado Annie-like Betsy, a horny teen-ager whose father owns a shotgun, Kurtz is playing a character who should be, and kind of is, a one-joke punch line.
    Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 30 Apr. 2026
  • Complaints about hospital food are certainly not new, and Jell-O and fruit juice are often the butt of related jokes.
    Stephanie Armour, CBS News, 30 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • How, then, would a satire keep up, especially given the glacial pace of publishing?
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 1 May 2026
  • While discussing the delicate tone of the show and its balance of being a satire on the Hollywood movie business and a love letter to chasing your dream, Cretton said the creative team focused on character to find their way.
    Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 30 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • High schoolers were given the opportunity to pre-register to vote, while younger students filled out coloring sheets on civil rights history.
    Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2026
  • Henley's eyes were light blue, vivid and startling against the rest of her coloring.
    Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 1 May 2026
Verb
  • Streep imitated how Hawn, 80, would arrive on set, always apologetic.
    Victoria Edel, PEOPLE, 1 May 2026
  • Speaking in Ormond Beach, DeSantis took aim at Jeffries’ recent warnings to Florida Republicans over redistricting, appearing to use African-American vernacular to imitate the Brooklyn lawmaker, who in 2023 became the first Black politician to lead a major party in Congress.
    Garrett Shanley, Miami Herald, 30 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Caricature.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/caricature. Accessed 7 May. 2026.

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