1
as in sketch
a picture using lines to represent the chief features of an object or scene
a political cartoon mocking the state legislature
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2
as in strip
a series of drawings that tell a story or part of a story
reading the cartoons in the Sunday newspaper
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3
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of cartoon
Austin Elias-De Jesus, New Yorker, 3 June 2026
Americans of Kokopeli’s vintage are old enough to remember TV-watching as restricted by the times shows went on-air, by the channels their parents paid for, and by the public service announcements they were forced to get through during morning cartoons.
—Theo Belci, Artforum, 2 June 2026
The movie is clearly aimed at a certain audience who watched Saturday morning cartoons back in the day and, if their He-Man figure’s arm broke off, would use Faker as their resident Eternian hero.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 2 June 2026
The Dev Box looks a little like a cartoon anvil or piano fell onto an Xbox Series X and flattened it.
—Andrew Cunningham, ArsTechnica, 2 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for cartoon
Noun
Browse a gallery of our favorite basketball cartoons.
—Austin Elias-De Jesus, New Yorker, 3 June 2026
Americans of Kokopeli’s vintage are old enough to remember TV-watching as restricted by the times shows went on-air, by the channels their parents paid for, and by the public service announcements they were forced to get through during morning cartoons.
—Theo Belci, Artforum, 2 June 2026
The movie is clearly aimed at a certain audience who watched Saturday morning cartoons back in the day and, if their He-Man figure’s arm broke off, would use Faker as their resident Eternian hero.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 2 June 2026
The Dev Box looks a little like a cartoon anvil or piano fell onto an Xbox Series X and flattened it.
—Andrew Cunningham, ArsTechnica, 2 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for cartoon
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cartoon
Noun
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The manuscript was discovered earlier that year, along with a cover sketch and even notes on the overall direction for the illustrations.—
Sari Hitchins,
Parents,
2 June 2026
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The artist painted the mural singlehandedly, by hand, says the complaint, over many weeks, without preparatory sketches.—
Brian Boucher,
ARTnews.com,
2 June 2026
Noun
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Maps show the 900 block is five lanes wide and traverses a heavily commercial strip in north Washington, including multiple motels, stores and restaurants.—
Mark Price,
Charlotte Observer,
4 June 2026
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The invention that Edison brought into the offices of Scientific American also used sound vibrations to make a needle vibrate—in his case, by digging grooves into a strip of tinfoil or paper that was embossed with wax.—
Ron Cowen,
Scientific American,
3 June 2026
Noun
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Her opening number, a parody of her Moulin Rouge!—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
8 June 2026
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Published in 1811, the novel is greeted as a parody of sensibility.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 June 2026
Verb
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But as written by Mark Rosenblatt and directed by Nicholas Hytner, Giant doesn’t caricature its subject.—
Yair Rosenberg,
The Atlantic,
31 May 2026
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This idea of reasonableness is easily caricatured as moral timidity or a bloodless neutrality that drains politics of passion.—
Nikhil Krishnan,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Displays show campaign ephemera and memorabilia, from Shepard Fairey’s iconic HOPE poster to children’s drawings.—
Jacqui Palumbo,
CNN Money,
4 June 2026
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The Supreme Court in that case found that Louisiana’s drawing of its own congressional maps was a racial gerrymander in its creation of a second majority-Black district.—
Dan Mangan,
CNBC,
3 June 2026
Noun
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But Kaplan was a popular stand-up comic when Kotter debuted in 1975, and his curly halo of hair, thick mustache, and penchant for sweater vests became instantly recognizable as the series climbed in popularity.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
2 June 2026
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Jordan Jensen, co-host of Bein’ Ian with Jordan, became the first female comic to win NY’s Funniest Stand-Up at the New York Comedy Festival in 2021, and was named to Deadline’s list of comics to watch in 2025.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
27 May 2026
Noun
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And yet, Chisholm’s chat with Fallon sparked some jokes and blowback after the host asked the colorful character what the Yankees’ ultimate goal is this season.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
4 June 2026
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The majority of the jokes come off as more asserted than delighted.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
4 June 2026
Verb
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As the journey progresses, a male driver and his female companion (neither pictured on-screen) begin to discuss the Winkie.—
Jonathan Odden,
Artforum,
2 June 2026
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At the Thief Valley Reservoir, pictured in August 2024, fish that aren't caught by anglers are likely to be trapped in isolated pools and die by summer's end.—
Evan Bush,
NBC news,
2 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cartoon.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cartoon. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
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