Synonyms of parody

parody 1 of 2

noun

ˈper-ə-dē 

1

as in spoof

a work that imitates and exaggerates another work for comic effect

the musical is a parody of every biblical epic ever made

Synonyms & Similar Words

• spoof
• satire
• caricature
• imitation
• burlesque
• send-up
• takeoff
• travesty
• sketch
• rib
• comedy
• distortion
• put-on
• mockery
• farce
• lampoon
• exaggeration
• humor
• impersonation
• slapstick
• squib
• mimicking

2

as in joke

a poor, insincere, or insulting imitation of something

the young man sported a feeble parody of a mustache in a vain attempt to make himself look older

Synonyms & Similar Words

• joke
• caricature
• cartoon
• sham
• farce
• comedy
• mockery
• hoax
• simulation
• travesty
• burlesque
• lampoon
• counterfeit
• pretense
• takeoff
• forgery
• fake
• knockoff
• phony
• feigning
• humbug

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• tribute
• homage

parody

2 of 2

verb

as in to mock

to copy or exaggerate (someone or something) in order to make fun of

parodying a public figure's distinctive mannerisms takes particular talent

Synonyms & Similar Words

• mock
• imitate
• spoof
• caricature
• do
• mimic
• burlesque
• emulate
• send up
• ridicule
• simulate
• travesty
• satirize
• perform
• reproduce
• play
• lampoon
• pretend
• deride
• parrot
• personate
• replicate
• act
• stretch
• enhance
• duplicate
• ape
• gibe
• monkey
• fake
• counterfeit
• pasquinade
• elaborate
• pantomime
• sham
• mime
• feign
• pad
• copycat
• exaggerate
• play up
• expand
• enlarge (on or upon)
• flesh (out)
• embroider
• dissemble
• put on
• embellish
• amplify
• impersonate
• overstate
• overdraw
• magnify

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun parody differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of parody are burlesque, caricature, and travesty. While all these words mean "a comic or grotesque imitation," parody applies especially to treatment of a trivial or ludicrous subject in the exactly imitated style of a well-known author or work.

a witty parody of a popular novel

Where would burlesque be a reasonable alternative to parody?

The words burlesque and parody are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, burlesque implies mockery especially through giving a serious or lofty subject a frivolous treatment.

a nightclub burlesque of a trial in court

When is caricature a more appropriate choice than parody?

Although the words caricature and parody have much in common, caricature implies ludicrous exaggeration of the characteristic features of a subject.

caricatures of politicians in cartoons

When could travesty be used to replace parody?

The synonyms travesty and parody are sometimes interchangeable, but travesty implies that the subject remains unchanged but that the style is extravagant or absurd.

this production is a travesty of the opera

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of parody

Noun

White disappears completely into the role without skirting parody, portraying the exhausted hitmaker as startled by his own numbness, blanked out and unsure of what to do next. —Sadie Sartini Garner, Pitchfork, 24 Oct. 2025

But the result was to reveal herself as a gross parody of a professional press secretary. —Michelle Goldberg, Mercury News, 23 Oct. 2025

Verb

As Buffy, Shannon Elizabeth parodied the girl-next-door archetype, eventually proving to be not so innocent behind the scenes. —Skyler Trepel, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Oct. 2025

Thoday noted that, historically, people parodied in the show, even in some of the more grotesque puppet forms, have taken pride in the fact. —Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2025