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
Relevance
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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 parody
Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 31 Dec. 2025
According to Morton, no one from the center or the White House has reached out regarding the parody site, nor has anyone attempted to reclaim the domains.
—Séraphine Roger, Vanity Fair, 29 Dec. 2025
Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 10 Nov. 2025
The cold open parodied several moments from the NYC mayoral debate, including Sliwa’s random anecdotes — such as his story about being shot multiple times in a yellow cab.
—Michaela Zee, Variety, 2 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for parody
Noun
While the aggressively noirish script (by Kubrick and his friend Howard Sackler, who had also written Fear and Desire) about a down-and-out boxer who falls for a gangster’s moll sometimes comes off like a parody, Kubrick is clearly coming into his own here as an artist.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 31 Dec. 2025
According to Morton, no one from the center or the White House has reached out regarding the parody site, nor has anyone attempted to reclaim the domains.
—Séraphine Roger, Vanity Fair, 29 Dec. 2025
Verb
The comedy writing duo got a big break with American Vandal, which parodied true-crime series but with a story about an investigation into who and why someone vandalized a school parking lot with phallic images.
—Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 10 Nov. 2025
The cold open parodied several moments from the NYC mayoral debate, including Sliwa’s random anecdotes — such as his story about being shot multiple times in a yellow cab.
—Michaela Zee, Variety, 2 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for parody
Recent Examples of Synonyms for parody
Noun
-
The father-son duo recently filmed Spaceballs 2, the follow-up to the 1987 Star Wars spoof from comedy legend Mel Brooks and starring Bill.—
Eric Andersson,
PEOPLE,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Trcka expanded her career into films and television beginning with the horror spoof Scary Movie, which hit theaters in 2000.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
5 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
If that means being the frequent butt of jokes for his age, that's fine, too.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Try to ski with a friend, who might distract me with a story or a joke.—
Frederick Dreier,
Outside,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Many users on social media mocked the team for the design.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
9 Jan. 2026
-
When hackers reveal his identity and expose it to the public, he is ridiculed, mocked, and threatened.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The opening sketch has long been the primary venue for the show’s most enduring political satire.—
Erik Adams,
The Atlantic,
9 Nov. 2025
-
In keeping with a pleasing streak of industry satire here—Michael Haneke and Netflix get hilarious shout-outs—Fanning has a bracing directness that cuts through all the dramaturgical throat-clearing.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
But in contrast to these common caricatures, surveys of public opinion consistently show that most people around the world hold positive views of wolves, often overwhelmingly so.—
Justin Angle,
The Conversation,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Chamberlain also included a drawing of the girls in the group done on a paper tablecloth which included caricatures of Carpenter, Sandoval, Chamberlain and Sarah, as well as Carpenter's friend Amber Mark.—
Tabitha Parent,
PEOPLE,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
James said while walking through the venue, imitating her excitement.—
Angel Saunders,
PEOPLE,
6 Jan. 2026
-
When anchors John Dickerson and Maurice DuBois took over CBS Evening News last year, part of the network’s strategy was to imitate a local news format, with a genial cast of personalities reporting from the field.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
5 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Our daughter learnt how to draw comic strips with an Athenian cartoon artist and was keen to try the photography course and stargazing.—
Jemima Sissons,
Condé Nast Traveler,
8 Jan. 2026
-
When people make cartoons, one person draws it, another adds color, and someone else turns it into motion art.—
Preezy Brown,
VIBE.com,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
By the end of this eerily melodic, strangely beautiful song about doing nothing, Tyler dreams wistfully of loitering in a parking lot.—
Armin Rosen,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Jan. 2026
-
That’s one of the most beautiful things about doing the play right now, that there are so many people coming who have never been to a play before, especially young people.—
Juan A. Ramírez,
Vogue,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Parody.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/parody. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share