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

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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
That absence increases the risk of caricature and stereotyping in AI image outputs of the Black community. Donnetta Monk, Essence, 9 Oct. 2025 Performers milled on the street with bobbing paper mache heads of Uncle Sam and other caricatures. Neda Ulaby, NPR, 6 Oct. 2025
Verb
The show’s first limp wrist belongs to a novelty teapot caricaturing Wilde as a man-woman. Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 15 July 2025 Businesses must respect the aging consumer—not infantilize them, ignore them or caricature them. Lara Devgan, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for caricature
Recent Examples of Synonyms for caricature
Noun
  • Regretting You is a similarly ridiculous and overwrought slice of melodrama, leavened with strange moments of comedy that leave you wondering if the whole thing isn’t some kind of bizarre art project, an elaborate, camp parody of the very notion of romantic literature itself.
    Damon Wise, Deadline, 22 Oct. 2025
  • This semester's show is a musical parody of Love Island called Love on an Island.
    Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 20 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Damian Lewis, Ben Radcliffe, Thomasin McKenzie, and Tom Felton star in the upcoming spoof of British period dramas.
    Mike Miller, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Oct. 2025
  • Malin Akerman paid homage to her hilarious wig in Hunting Wives during a Halloween spoof for Sonic.
    Sabrina Weiss, PEOPLE, 22 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Pharrell and Adidas have released hundreds of sneakers together — and that’s no exaggeration.
    Riley Jones, Footwear News, 27 Oct. 2025
  • Peace in the Middle East is, of course, a florid exaggeration.
    Eric Cortellessa, Time, 23 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The principal of a Chicago elementary school that employs a teacher who appeared to mock the assassination of Charlie Kirk apparently portrayed the educator as a victim amid backlash over her behavior.
    Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2025
  • He has already been known to privately mock conservative pastors.
    Rev. Nathan Empsall, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Dodgers manager Dave Roberts got in on the joke after his team captured the National League pennant for the fifth time in the past nine years.
    Andy McCullough, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
  • Students embraced the joke, and before long, every game began with hundreds of tortillas soaring into the night sky as the whistle blew for kickoff.
    Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 24 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • There are some theatrical releases coming home for the first time, like a buzzy Julia Garner horror flick and a celebrity satire with Kate Hudson and Elisabeth Moss.
    Brian Truitt, USA Today, 24 Oct. 2025
  • Get Shorty remains a classic Hollywood satire and one of the great examples of the decade’s foray into meta films.
    Erik Morse, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • A little goes a long way, as too much coloring can overwhelm the natural sheen of the lychee.
    Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Oct. 2025
  • Maoershan small tree frogs were identified by their DNA, call sound, coloring, body proportions, skin texture, finger and toe shape and other subtle physical features, the study said.
    Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • In the spirit of art imitating life, the episode calls attention to the proliferation of potentially toxic chemicals in the products many of us slather daily on our face, body and hair.
    Sandee LaMotte, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2025
  • This provides my son with an opportunity to imitate me verbally and gesturally.
    Hannah Nwoko, Parents, 20 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Caricature.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/caricature. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

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