1
as in drawings
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 strips
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 parodies
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 cartoons
Charlotte Observer, 12 Oct. 2025
Johnson put the toy/comics/cartoons franchise on his large shoulders playing the machine-gunning Cobra hater.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 4 Oct. 2025
Without acknowledging it, this bookstore is a synthesis of every experiment in children’s literature from Babar the Elephant and the Pere Castor series in France to Mickey Mouse and cartoons in the United States, via innovative graphic design in Czechoslovakia and Russia in the interwar period.
—Literary Hub, 2 Oct. 2025
Then there's Sesame Street and Saturday morning cartoons.
—Halee Miller Van Ryswyk, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Sep. 2025
In the grand tradition of other kid-friendly cartoons, each episode contains two short stories.
—Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Sep. 2025
Dogs and cats are often portrayed as natural enemies in films, cartoons and even everyday folklore—but Nova the pit bull and her orange-tabby companion clearly never got the memo.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Sep. 2025
Last year the park swung open the doors to equally ingenious fairytale rides themed to the Frozen, Tangled and Peter Pan cartoons.
—Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
Sixty-five percent of respondents in low-income countries were exposed to them, too, including at school, on social media, at sporting events and in cartoons.
—Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 13 Sep. 2025
Verb
In the past, The Observer has won multiple Pulitizer Prizes, including two for public service and three for editorial cartoons.
—Charlotte Observer, 12 Oct. 2025
Johnson put the toy/comics/cartoons franchise on his large shoulders playing the machine-gunning Cobra hater.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 4 Oct. 2025
Without acknowledging it, this bookstore is a synthesis of every experiment in children’s literature from Babar the Elephant and the Pere Castor series in France to Mickey Mouse and cartoons in the United States, via innovative graphic design in Czechoslovakia and Russia in the interwar period.
—Literary Hub, 2 Oct. 2025
Then there's Sesame Street and Saturday morning cartoons.
—Halee Miller Van Ryswyk, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Sep. 2025
In the grand tradition of other kid-friendly cartoons, each episode contains two short stories.
—Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Sep. 2025
Dogs and cats are often portrayed as natural enemies in films, cartoons and even everyday folklore—but Nova the pit bull and her orange-tabby companion clearly never got the memo.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Sep. 2025
Last year the park swung open the doors to equally ingenious fairytale rides themed to the Frozen, Tangled and Peter Pan cartoons.
—Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
Sixty-five percent of respondents in low-income countries were exposed to them, too, including at school, on social media, at sporting events and in cartoons.
—Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 13 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cartoons
Noun
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Elsewhere, the exhibit brings together 1,200 works of sculptural furniture, precious jewelry, art objects, drawings, posters and fashion pieces, underscoring the richness, elegance and contradictions of a movement that continues to resonate today.—
Sofia Celeste,
Footwear News,
11 Oct. 2025
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There will be samples of brews and bites, while supplies last, live music by BETAMAXX and opportunity drawings.—
Linda Mcintosh,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The new Frank’s RedHot Diablo sauce features Frank’s classic Buffalo flavor, adding it to tacos, burritos, strips and Nacho Fries.—
Suzanne Blake,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Oct. 2025
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In the ’50s, before digital audio, the audio strips were on the inside of the film strip’s perforations, meaning the image itself was slightly narrower.—
Brian Welk,
IndieWire,
14 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The moment — delivered by Steinfeld’s character Mary on a humid New Orleans train platform — was clipped, memed and replayed across TikTok, igniting think pieces and parodies alike.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
3 Oct. 2025
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Free speech covers the jokes, the satire, the parodies—even the dumb, crass, or offensive ones.—
Lizz Winstead,
Time,
27 Sep. 2025
Noun
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There’s no need to come up with some new on-the-street interview series, or buy a ring light, or write some new sketches filmed in your bedroom.—
David Zucker,
Deadline,
13 Oct. 2025
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Accordingly, one of last night’s best sketches found Poehler playing a middle-aged mom dealing with perimenopause by acting like a teenage emo fan.—
Michael Tedder,
The Atlantic,
12 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Performers milled on the street with bobbing paper mache heads of Uncle Sam and other caricatures.—
Neda Ulaby,
NPR,
6 Oct. 2025
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The characters are bright, marionette-like caricatures whom the author constructs and moves ostentatiously in full view of the reader, revealing his artistic devices with a sense of absurd, mischievous humor.—
Nelly Klos
September 29,
Literary Hub,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Strachan pictures the multi-colored gemstones (less summer, more fall) complementing collarless coats, cashmere crewneck sweaters, and white button-up shirts.—
Cortne Bonilla,
Vogue,
25 Sep. 2025
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Only the last photo during the end credits pictures the fiery aftermath of Hutch’s ultimate battle with Ladeena.—
Tim Lammers,
Forbes.com,
16 Aug. 2025
Noun
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His commitment to giving back extends beyond individual portraits to larger community projects and murals that celebrate local culture and resilience.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
11 Oct. 2025
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For a final flourish, guests—all handed CD players loaded with the new album—pose for tintype portraits and press wildflowers into keepsakes.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
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And no … no more short jokes from me.—
Vic Tafur,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
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This was a couple who had never stopped laughing at one another’s jokes, who still held hands like teenagers into their 50s.—
Bee Wilson,
Vogue,
15 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cartoons.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cartoons. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.
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