CARTOON Synonyms: 65 Similar and Opposite Words

cartoon 1 of 2

noun

kär-ˈtün

Definition of cartoon

as in sketch

a picture using lines to represent the chief features of an object or scene a political cartoon mocking the state legislature

Synonyms & Similar Words

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as in strip

a series of drawings that tell a story or part of a story reading the cartoons in the Sunday newspaper

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in parody

a poor, insincere, or insulting imitation of something in this biopic the life of a complex man is reduced to a cartoon

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

cartoon

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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 cartoon

Noun

Energetic Pursuit On a frigid, sunny morning in December 2025, Picard stepped up to a podium wearing a sweater embroidered with a squiggly cartoon of a mitochondrion. — Rachel Nuwer, Quanta Magazine, 17 July 2026 Today, people can watch Steamboat Willie, the first cartoon to feature Mickey Mouse, and a short film called The Last Verse, which is a tribute to Richard and Robert Sherman, the songwriters behind some of Disney’s most famous songs. — Julie Tremaine, PEOPLE, 17 July 2026 Writers tend to find this process—reducing a complex, nuanced work of art down to a tidy cartoon version of itself—excruciating. — Literary Hub, 15 July 2026 Appointment television has become a rarity for Gen Z, which was raised on on-demand cartoons and can’t even identify a channel guide. — Toni Fitzgerald, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for cartoon

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cartoon

Noun

Except that’s precisely what awards shows are terrible at — those hammy yuk-yuk sketches, or weepy maudlin moments, that struggle to celebrate the industry by interlacing the show with a theatrical insert.

— James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 24 July 2026
The Tonight Show had fun with sound effects this week during a sketch on corruption and greed in the White House.

— Bethy Squires, Vulture, 24 July 2026

Definition of sketch

Noun

The narrow strip of water off Iran’s coast is the route through which a fifth of the world’s oil typically leaves the Persian Gulf and heads to customers worldwide, and the conflict has largely halted shipping traffic.

— ABC News, ABC News, 26 July 2026
With a bar in front, a hallway-like dining strip, and a cozy back room, the space feels more harmonious with Somssi’s easygoing à-la-carte offerings.

— Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 26 July 2026

Definition of strip

Verb

In creative, advanced age is omitted or caricatured, reducing relevance before the message has a chance to work.

— Ray Lansigan, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
Nevin remembered the songwriter as a melancholic genius, and insisted that Foster did not merely caricature Black Americans but used their vernacular to convey universal themes.

— David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 2 July 2026

Definition of caricature

Noun

The drawing also marks Powerball's expansion into the United Kingdom, bringing more players into the game and potentially setting the stage for even larger jackpots in the future.

— Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 26 July 2026
That would be the Powerball big prize, which will be up to $633 million for Monday’s drawing.

— David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 26 July 2026

Definition of drawing

Noun

The comic also has myriad credits as an actor, including HBO’s Rooster, Apple TV’s Physical and Damien Chazelle’s Babylon.

— Matt Grobar, Deadline, 22 July 2026
For his fourth feature behind the camera, Emmy-winning comic Chris Rock is turning the camera back on his own industry.

— Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 22 July 2026

Definition of comic

Noun

For a few hours, the disappearance was fodder for office jokes, Mélanie Brinbaum, Nestlé’s European head of marketing and consumer communications, tells Fortune.

— Sam Birchall, Fortune, 20 July 2026
Poor Sirs Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen are back in the mix, reprising their X-Men roles, and somehow, Channing Tatum is Gambit, like, for real and not as a joke.

— Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 20 July 2026

Definition of joke

Verb

Humans have never stopped trying to picture what a truly intelligent mind actually looks like.

— Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
The couple were pictured hanging out with Matt’s longtime friend, Ben Affleck, as well as Bruce Willis and his daughter, Rumer Willis, in this undated shot from the early aughts.

— Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 21 July 2026

Definition of picture

Browse Nearby Words

cartons

cartoon

cartooned

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Style

“Cartoon.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cartoon. Accessed 27 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of cartoon

noun

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

webtoon

'Cartoon': Not Just For Kids

Tulip/Turban, Cloak/Clock, & 8...

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