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

Relevance

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 growing awareness of feminism in the ’70s spurred Houlihan’s transformation from caricature to real person, but a lot of the change was due to Swit’s influence on the scriptwriters. Mark Kennedy, Chicago Tribune, 30 May 2025 Kher’s approach represents a departure from how autism has traditionally been portrayed in Indian cinema, which has often relied on stereotypes and caricatures. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 18 May 2025
Verb
Yet abroad, Germans are still caricatured as Nazis, and the remembrance culture plays a part by overdoing it. Mark Sappenfield, Christian Science Monitor, 2 May 2025 Aesthetically, each episode has its own look tied to the personality of the character explored, which allowed Pixar to use lots of caricaturing and cartoony effects through mixed media. Bill Desowitz, IndieWire, 21 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for caricature
Recent Examples of Synonyms for caricature
Noun
  • The unserious image conveys how much the drama has become a parody of itself.
    Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 27 June 2025
  • When Israel launched its full-scale war against Iran on June 13, the jingoistic Beach Boys parody once again began to make the rounds.
    Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 25 June 2025
Noun
  • One of Ferrell’s biggest and best movies was this hilarious racing spoof, which followed the rise and fall and rise of a smug champion racer, his complicated friendship with best pal and fellow racer John C. Reilly, and his rivalry with an effete, snotty Frenchman played by Sacha Baron Cohen.
    Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 27 June 2025
  • Just as impressive is Brooks stepping back into the shoes of Yogurt (his merchandising Yoda spoof), just a year away from his hundredth birthday.
    Josh Weiss, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025
Noun
  • No exaggeration, this is one of the most thrillingly diverse and culturally vibrant capitals on Earth.
    Emma John, AFAR Media, 24 June 2025
  • Studio Ghibli’s prestigious reputation consists of truths and exaggerations.
    Ryan Gaur, IndieWire, 10 June 2025
Verb
  • Tonally, the show is all over the place, laying on the moody theatrics one moment, mocking Dave’s writerly pretenses the next.
    Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 25 June 2025
  • In September 2024, she was mocked online after releasing a single.
    Kate Plummer, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 June 2025
Noun
  • And yet the world is too driven by algorithms, too fragmented in its tastes, to ever be on the same page again and get the same jokes.
    Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 30 June 2025
  • She was raised in a society—a West Indian society—that did not put much of a premium on women’s bodies, where any kind of intimacy was a joke.
    Hilton Als, New Yorker, 30 June 2025
Noun
  • Doing so, Cohn and Duprat return to their hallmark mode of psychological satire, filtered through a customary comedy-drama prism.
    John Hopewell, Variety, 19 June 2025
  • The Office isn’t vicious workplace satire, but this sure is.
    Brian Boone, Vulture, 18 June 2025
Noun
  • Sánchez has always maintained the same hair coloring (dark brown with golden streaks), arched brows, shimmering shadow and a pink lip shade combo — all thanks to her beauty team.
    Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 26 June 2025
  • The new species was identified by its DNA, body proportions, head shape, scale pattern, coloring, teeth and other subtle physical features, the study said.
    Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 16 June 2025
Verb
  • But as these systems gained the ability to imitate reasoning, planning, and decision-making among options, emergent behaviors began raising red flags.
    Hamilton Mann, Forbes.com, 29 June 2025
  • Some fireworks transcend the standard pops and booms to imitate a non-fiery object.
    Ethan Wolin, Sacbee.com, 28 June 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Caricature.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/caricature. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.

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!