1
as in parodies
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 spoofs
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
as in exaggerations
the representation of something in terms that go beyond the facts
the mayor has presented only a caricature of his opponent's views
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in mocks
to copy or exaggerate (someone or something) in order to make fun of
caricatured the supervisor's distinctive walk
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 caricatures
Stuart Miller, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2026
Can storytelling help move audiences beyond caricatures, outrage, and contempt?
—Dana Taylor, USA Today, 3 June 2026
Too often issues are nationalized where people begin to argue with strangers, which can lead people using caricatures to oversimplify complex problems.
—Dj Simmons, Charlotte Observer, 2 June 2026
After fighting off those who called him a diva, after fending off those who called him the second coming of Terrell Owens, Brown is leaving Philadelphia in such a way that will not spare him from being crudely cast in those caricatures.
—Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 1 June 2026
The filmmaker also wanted to steer clear of caricatures on either side of the conflict.
—Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 17 May 2026
Sardi’s has the legendary caricatures on the walls, while Joe Allen is lined with iconic theater posters.
—Shivani Vora, Forbes.com, 14 May 2026
Many had argued that the banner, which largely meditates on the violence of the Suharto dictatorship in Indonesia, contained antisemitic caricatures.
—Harrison Jacobs, ARTnews.com, 12 May 2026
Watching the pair scheme in crisp shot-reverse-shot carries much of the film’s easy charm, like witnessing a pair of Al Hirschfeld caricatures suddenly brought to life.
—Ben Croll, IndieWire, 12 May 2026
Noun
Oftentimes Black artists are seen as caricatures or one-dimensional.
—Stuart Miller, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2026
Can storytelling help move audiences beyond caricatures, outrage, and contempt?
—Dana Taylor, USA Today, 3 June 2026
Too often issues are nationalized where people begin to argue with strangers, which can lead people using caricatures to oversimplify complex problems.
—Dj Simmons, Charlotte Observer, 2 June 2026
After fighting off those who called him a diva, after fending off those who called him the second coming of Terrell Owens, Brown is leaving Philadelphia in such a way that will not spare him from being crudely cast in those caricatures.
—Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 1 June 2026
The filmmaker also wanted to steer clear of caricatures on either side of the conflict.
—Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 17 May 2026
Sardi’s has the legendary caricatures on the walls, while Joe Allen is lined with iconic theater posters.
—Shivani Vora, Forbes.com, 14 May 2026
Many had argued that the banner, which largely meditates on the violence of the Suharto dictatorship in Indonesia, contained antisemitic caricatures.
—Harrison Jacobs, ARTnews.com, 12 May 2026
Watching the pair scheme in crisp shot-reverse-shot carries much of the film’s easy charm, like witnessing a pair of Al Hirschfeld caricatures suddenly brought to life.
—Ben Croll, IndieWire, 12 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for caricatures
Noun
-
Marlon Wayans, Shawn Wayans, and Michael Tiddes, the director of Scary Movie, take EW inside the making of the film's wild pair of post-credits parodies.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
6 June 2026
-
The sequel reboot brings original franchise stars Marlon, Shawn, Anna Faris and Regina Hall back to the world of horror movie parodies.—
Jack Smart,
PEOPLE,
5 June 2026
Noun
-
Based on the Apple TV series, the fizzy throwback spoofs Golden Age musicals, and follows an on-the-rocks couple who are trapped in a town where people sing and dance incessantly.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
8 June 2026
-
There would be more scripted and carefully choreographed moments in his TV spots for Calvin Klein jeans and Obsession, collaborations with the writer Doon Arbus (daughter of Diane and Allan Arbus) that took chances (and which, for some viewers, are inseparable from memorable spoofs on SNL).—
Sheri Linden,
HollywoodReporter,
17 May 2026
Noun
-
Historians, strategists, and analysts are brought in to give some context, particularly for the question of how much these impressions influence voters — do these performances merge with their targets’ public personas, turning comic exaggerations into liabilities?—
Jason Bailey,
Vulture,
27 May 2026
-
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
Verb
-
The group openly mocks Jesus Christ and many Christian and Catholic traditions.—
Jon Root OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
30 May 2026
-
Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is demanding all copies of Unethical Hoops, a new Operation-style board game that mocks his foul-drawing reputation, be destroyed.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
Often the jokes are tied to an upcoming holiday or event.—
Arati Menon,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 June 2026
-
The Tribeca Film Festival has publicly condemned jokes made on the red carpet at the premiere of The Wedding Entertainer (The Tale of Moishe Badhan).—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
7 June 2026
Noun
-
Across the 2026 and 2027 bridal collections, there’s been a notable emphasis on intricate savoir-faire, with designers embracing the charm of handmade workmanship, including delicate weaves, openwork textures, and crochet-effect embroideries as couture-level details.—
Laura Tortora,
Vogue,
29 May 2026
-
Vogue points to bold and bright sneakers for spring, plus those with details like sequins and floral embroideries, among other trends.—
Claire Peltier,
ABC News,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
But neither painting nor photography imitates nature.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 June 2026
-
Like most creative endeavors, art imitates life at Monse.—
Madeline Hirsch,
InStyle,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
So the whole success of the Tracey Ullman Show shorts were based on 15-second cartoons.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
7 June 2026
-
Saturday morning cartoons created a special, quiet time for kids to feel seen and enjoy their own space.—
Alex Shoemaker,
Parents,
6 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Caricatures.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/caricatures. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
