parody 1 of 2

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

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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

parody

2 of 2

verb

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

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
Noun
The video couldn’t be more fun, showing Mazatlán, Mexico, on one side and a parody of an Argentine TV show on the other. Tere Aguilera, Billboard, 29 Aug. 2025 Thirty minutes after the first post went up, Harman-Michael added a 17th photo, of two middle school teachers who hadn’t heard about the parody and wanted to be a part. Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 27 Aug. 2025
Verb
South Park’s Eric Cartman parodies Kirk in the episode by asking a college student a question, referencing Kirk’s viral debates on college campuses. Sydney Topf, The Washington Examiner, 8 Aug. 2025 An upcoming episode will parody Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, often referred to as ICE Barbie. Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 5 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for parody
Recent Examples of Synonyms for parody
Noun
  • Other early influences included a stint assisting Ken Shapiro, director of 1974’s pre-SNL sketch spoof The Groove Tube.
    Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 27 Aug. 2025
  • Valcq's musical, a spoof of 1950s science-fiction movies, was first staged at the Skylight, had a Milwaukee setting and was filled with Milwaukee references.
    Jim Higgins, jsonline.com, 20 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Related Stories Farrelly thinks that kind of oppressive political correctness is fading and that audiences are eager to see movies that eviscerate good taste in order to land a joke again.
    Brent Lang, Variety, 5 Sep. 2025
  • What started as a joke soon turned into a tourism draw that put Lajitas on the map.
    Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Lopez noted and mocked Johnson’s comments, sarcastically asking why the mayor didn’t blame it on other historic phenomena.
    Washington Examiner Staff, The Washington Examiner, 4 Sep. 2025
  • For Gen Z, shaped by a hyper-online upbringing where missteps are often amplified and mocked, being obviously earnest can feel risky.
    Ruth Oh Reitmeier, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Shot on a real-life lavish Utah estate, Mountainhead is another modern satire from Succession creator Jesse Armstrong — who reunited with that HBO drama’s composer Nicholas Britell for more unforgettable music.
    Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Comedian John Early’s directorial debut, ostensibly a pastiche of basic-cable TV movies, is not a parody, or a satire, or even a comedy.
    Sam Bodrojan, IndieWire, 7 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The director was careful to avoid creating caricatures of religious figures.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 6 Sep. 2025
  • The same red flannel was often featured in caricatures of Mammy.
    Danielle Amir Jackson, The Atlantic, 4 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Perhaps, but no machine can imitate my imagination or the memories that pour through me, or feel the fear of extinguishment.
    Adam Verner September 3, Literary Hub, 3 Sep. 2025
  • Sometimes art imitates life by skipping a generation.
    Lisa Respers France, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The movie is a remake of Disney’s beloved 1989 cartoon which won two Academy Awards for its score and its catchy song 'Under the Sea'.
    Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
  • After twenty years of voicing a beloved cartoon capybara, a Black actor undergoes vocal surgery to escape the character that defines — and confines — her.
    Kirsten Chuba, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Revord does the audio themself, and worked with a dialect coach to perfect British accents and learn how to act without facial expressions or gestures.
    Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025
  • Trump has done less of this in his second term, preferring to twist arms and lobby lawmakers privately this time.
    W. James Antle III, The Washington Examiner, 4 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Parody.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/parody. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.

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