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
Judging by the facial expression given to her caricature, the illustrator agrees. Literary Hub, 9 June 2026 But the caricature never quite contained her. ABC News, 6 June 2026
Verb
Advertisement Commandment 9—Sultan of insult: Reducing complexity to simplicity As a master of the insensitive insult, Trump strips complex adversaries down to simple, mocking caricatures, often grounded in some shred of truth, however exaggerated and caricatured. Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 25 Mar. 2026 As for the religious dimension, it’s questioned but not caricatured. Bob Strauss, San Francisco Chronicle, 12 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for caricature
Recent Examples of Synonyms for caricature
Noun
  • Scary Movie paved the way for more big-screen parodies, including Date Movie (2006), Epic Movie (2007), and Meet the Spartans (2008).
    Skyler Trepel, Entertainment Weekly, 27 June 2026
  • Their outmoded style, with its seriousness and corniness, its big acting choices and low budgets, is basically impossible to recreate without falling into parody.
    Alison Willmore, Vulture, 19 June 2026
Noun
  • The goofy sketch comedies and homemade spoofs that once filled his channel gradually disappeared, replaced by melancholy short films and bleak monologues.
    Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 27 June 2026
  • But given the current box office sensations of Obsession and Backrooms, Tiddes certainly wishes the timing had allowed for spoofs of those horror movies.
    Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 17 June 2026
Noun
  • Pirate ship is no exaggeration.
    Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 24 June 2026
  • But the fastest swimming speed claims are almost certainly indefensible exaggerations.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 June 2026
Verb
  • In the weeks leading up to the June 26 release of the film, men mocked 26-year-old Alcock’s appearance across social media.
    Tiffany Kelly, Entertainment Weekly, 30 June 2026
  • Each sketch was packed with mocking details, such as long red ties, Big Macs and lots and lots of gold, to drive home her point.
    Jan Ellen Spiegel, Hartford Courant, 29 June 2026
Noun
  • As the escape-room activity kicks off — the guests have 30 minutes to find Aesha’s crew — the boys find plenty of opportunity to make insinuating jokes about tying up the girls, some (Coop) more wholesome than others (Luke).
    Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 30 June 2026
  • And as a distant relative jokes, many can be found on mortgages, loans and other debts.
    Adam Van Brimmer, AJC.com, 30 June 2026
Noun
  • Returning to the director’s chair 11 years after drug-cartel drama 600 Miles, Gabriel Ripstein keeps things zipping along in an entertaining satire which, once again, highlights the rottenness at international football’s core.
    Jon O'Brien, Vulture, 26 June 2026
  • Born in 1942 in California, the actor's acting career began in high school on a variety show satire of Gunsmoke, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
    Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 24 June 2026
Noun
  • In December 2025, Sudakov and two of his graduate students drastically simplified the team’s coloring model, improving their new bounds even further.
    Leila Sloman, Quanta Magazine, 26 June 2026
  • Jaden Smith at Christian Louboutin is keeping the category interesting with his designs, including details like gradient coloring and wide square toes.
    Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 25 June 2026
Verb
  • Here was a government that had explicitly borrowed from Beijing’s developmental playbook and sincerely attempted to imitate it, but failed.
    Wesley Alexander Hill, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
  • These are glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists that imitate a natural hormone in the gut.
    Stephanie Stephens, USA Today, 26 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Caricature.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/caricature. Accessed 2 Jul. 2026.

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