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cartoon 1 of 2

noun

kär-ˈtün How to pronounce cartoon (audio)
Definition of cartoonnext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

Synonyms & Similar Words
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

cartoon

2 of 2

verb

as in to caricature

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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
But Buc-ee’s aggressive defense of its cartoon beaver logo represents an unusually bold effort to protect its brand identity. — Patrik Jonsson, Christian Science Monitor, 15 Sep. 2026 The Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten published 12 editorial cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammad. — USA Today, 15 Sep. 2026 At once a world-class, supervillain-busting secret agent and a prototypically insecure adolescent, Kim Possible (Christy Carlson Romano) outwardly resembled a great number of female cartoon characters from the early aughts. — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Sep. 2026 To ask how much of the senator now in front of us is the man and how much is the injury is a cartoon of the Cartesian mind-body paradox. — Michael P.h. Stanley, STAT, 10 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cartoon
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cartoon
  1. sketch
  2. strip
  3. parody
  4. caricature
  5. drawing
  6. comic
  7. joke
  8. picture
Noun
  • Guests mingled at the Bill Blass town house Thursday night for an up-close look at the vintage Bill Blass pieces, fashion sketches and personal letters across the designer’s career that are being auctioned at Christie’s.
    — Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 18 Sep. 2026
  • The figure has since appeared across Depp’s sketches, paintings, and prints.
    — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of sketch
Noun
  • The cover can be unfolded so that a strip magnetically attaches to the top of the panel's lid, while the monitor's lower edge can fit into either of two grooves in the cover's base, letting the screen rest at your choice of two tilt angles.
    — Tony Hoffman, PC Magazine, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Beauty in Black is a drama following Polidore’s Kimmie, a Chicago strip-club dancer, whose life becomes entangled with Mallory (Crystle Stewart), the powerful head of a hair-care empire.
    — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of strip
Noun
  • That show includes animation and sketches as well as absurdist act-outs and character portraits, like Patel’s parody of one-man shows.
    — Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 21 Sep. 2026
  • In another sketch, Webb and Olivia Colman parody a makeover show and are confronted by a woman in a burqa.
    — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of parody
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
  • On a Saturday of Powerball, Fantasy 5 and Florida Lotto drawings, two jackpots paid off, both winners getting their tickets at Publix stores.
    — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 20 Sep. 2026
  • Its worldwide significance is exhibited through drawings and textiles, offering visitors an impactful experience.
    — Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of drawing
Noun
  • As of press time, the comic is scheduled to perform Monday night at that venue.
    — Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 19 Sep. 2026
  • The rare comic to release each of her first three specials to premium streamers, her last hour, Breadwinner, premiered on Hulu in October 2024.
    — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of comic
Noun
  • The group-chat joke lands because many young people know exactly what’s in their checking account, and still want to make room for what makes life feel good.
    — Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 20 Sep. 2026
  • Read this book for hilarious jokes, different types of friends, and fresh starts.
    — Kavya Dhillon, Parents, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of joke
Verb
  • And all of them will enter a working world neither of us can picture.
    — Pat Gelsinger, Fortune, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Unable to picture evil as anything other than devilish, critics accused Arendt of excusing the perpetrators and blaming the victims.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of picture

Browse Nearby Words

cartons
cartoon
cartooned
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Cite this Entry

“Cartoon.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cartoon. Accessed 25 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on cartoon

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cartoon

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