CARICATURE Synonyms: 110 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

caricature 1 of 2

noun

ˈker-i-kə-ˌchu̇r

Definition of caricature

as in parody

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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as in exaggeration

the representation of something in terms that go beyond the facts the mayor has presented only a caricature of his opponent's views

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

caricature

2 of 2

verb

as in to parody

to copy or exaggerate (someone or something) in order to make fun of caricatured the supervisor's distinctive walk

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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

Conversations around racial caricature have evolved; what was edgy feels painfully passé. — Eugenie Brinkema, ARTnews.com, 17 Oct. 2026 As is the case with most election cycles, the claims and counterclaims about the ballot measures being voted on in California this time around are largely based on caricatures of the measures themselves. — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026

Verb

And the ones that do exist were faceless in fields, or caricatured — displayed as subservient property. — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 20 June 2026 In an accompanying cartoon, Spark is caricatured as a sulking giant, tottering above the Tuscan countryside in a pair of high heels. — Literary Hub, 9 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for caricature

Recent Examples of Synonyms for caricature

Noun

And my parody of Ronald Reagan is now in the White House, right?

— John Bleasdale, Variety, 31 Oct. 2026
The album’s experimental bent is also what keeps the music from slipping into parody or, even worse, po-faced sincerity.

— Sadie Sartini Garner, Pitchfork, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of parody

Noun

The spoof of early Hollywood’s swashbuckling action-adventure movies is one of the comedy titan’s most quotable films, thanks in large part to the timing of the cast.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026
The film draws on 1980s supernatural comedies, including Back to the Future, Ghostbusters and The Addams Family, alongside classic monster movies and horror spoofs.

— Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of spoof

Noun

The students maintain that the conversations consisted largely of deliberately provocative jokes, internet memes and political exaggerations that were never intended as genuine threats.

— Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2026
Maybe not laugh-out-loud humor, though that’s there, but other forms of humor like wit, deadpan, understatement, exaggeration, recognition, irony.

— Cressida Leyshon, New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of exaggeration

Verb

As proof of how much of a joke this has become for people is that a sketch mocking their drama was part of the October 10 episode of Saturday Night Live UK.

— Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 21 Oct. 2026
There were earlier versions of this story that were openly mocking of Kip, versions that threw Leo under the bus for being too sly; versions that were too overtly political; versions with ghosts that didn’t need to be there, and so on.

— Deborah Treisman, New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of mock

Noun

The chain, which has over 200 locations in the United States, was recently caught in a culture war against its will, sparked by a joke from former President Barack Obama on its aesthetic.

— Ramishah Maruf, CNN Money, 1 Nov. 2026
Later on during Weekend Update, Michael Che made a joke about Israel that made Jost jokingly grimace.

— Marlow Stern, Variety, 1 Nov. 2026

Definition of joke

Noun

To use satire to confirm does not bring with it dramatic excitement and risks a certain smugness of point of view.

— Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 2 Nov. 2026
Even the most gifted practitioner of satire — looking at my shelf full of Carl Hiassen novels — couldn’t make up this stuff.

— Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of satire

Noun

Add 1 to 2 drops of red food coloring to the bowl of candy melts and mix well to incorporate.

— Candy Hom, AJC.com, 23 Oct. 2026
With that in mind, Haug suggests requesting balayage, a freehand hair-coloring technique that lightens strands without using foils, and looks a little more natural compared to traditional highlights.

— Jacqueline Kilikita, Vogue, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of coloring

Verb

Claude is destined to imitate these human traits and mirror the human examples provided to it, including acting like a colleague or friend.

— Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2026
These are commonly used in things like model aircraft to imitate jet engines.

— Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 1 Nov. 2026

Definition of imitate

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“Caricature.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/caricature. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026.

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