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

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 result has been something like an inverse caricature of Republican complaints about diversity, equity, and inclusion, a system in which the incompetent rise not because of their abilities but because of their sycophancy. Adam Serwer, The Atlantic, 8 Apr. 2026 As written on the page, Beth mostly feels like a caricature. Erin Qualey, Vulture, 6 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 parody defense serves the project well.
    Chris Jones, New York Daily News, 21 Apr. 2026
  • If approved by a Texas judge, the deal would take away his Infowars microphone, and allow The Onion to resume its plans to turn the website into a parody of itself.
    Tovia Smith, NPR, 20 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Nearly 40 years after Spaceballs first hit theaters in 1987, Mel Brooks' Star Wars spoof is gearing up for another ride.
    Maddie Garfinkle, PEOPLE, 16 Apr. 2026
  • In the timely space spoof, the four Artemis 2 astronauts, portrayed by Colman Domingo, Mikey Day, Marcello Hernández, and Sarah Sherman offer an update on their moon mission at Day 9.
    Jeff Spry, Space.com, 14 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Williams, of course, worked at NBC for nearly three decades, including an 11-year run at NBC Nightly News that ended 2015 after exaggerations and falsehoods were found in some of his reporting, including reports from Iraq, and from New Orleans after it had been ravaged by Hurricane Katrina.
    Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 16 Apr. 2026
  • The novel reads, in retrospect, less like exaggeration than reportage from inside a culture already learning to treat life as publicity.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The former housekeeper for Jenner further claims that she was mocked for her accent and degraded.
    Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026
  • The diary writing nurtures an internal life by giving oxygen to what previously had been ephemeral, easily self-mocked as inappropriate, or troubling.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • These headwinds, together with Spirit’s ongoing reputational challenges like being the target of jokes by late-night hosts and prominent press coverage of its two brushes with bankruptcy, likely account for Spirit’s satisfaction decline.
    Zach Wichter, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2026
  • As anachronisms constantly threaten to puncture the illusion, the cast stays wry, nimble and self-conscious in order to locate plot points and jokes that reinforce the golden-age radio setting, scribbling notes and introducing characters that propel them through ludicrous narrative arcs.
    John Wenzel, Denver Post, 23 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • In 1983, Mark Russell, whose satire was a PBS staple, offered relatively tame jabs at Reagan.
    ABC News, ABC News, 24 Apr. 2026
  • The project brings together satire and documentary to move across memory, ideology and political contradiction.
    Emiliano de Pablos, Variety, 23 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Plus, unlike traditional methods of coloring panels that often use 'diffusing foils' that scatter light everywhere and cause power losses of up to 50%, MorphoColor uses a precise 3D photonic structure on the glass surface designed specifically for high transmission.
    Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 24 Apr. 2026
  • The split-coloring is believed to be caused by either a genetic mutation or pigment irregularities, according to scientists.
    Melina Khan, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Then comes that particular way of speaking so well imitated by comedians Armando Roblan and Eddy Calderón during long seasons in Calle Ocho theaters and on Miami radio.
    Sarah Moreno, Miami Herald, 16 Apr. 2026
  • Both of us remember childhood weekends spent recording our own camcorder sketch shows — Lee imitating Dana Carvey’s Ross Perot and Molly Shannon’s Mary Catherine Gallagher, Jenn pushing the boundaries of absurdism far past the point of actually getting laughs.
    Lee Kelly, PEOPLE, 12 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Caricature.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/caricature. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.

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