send-up 1 of 2

noun

ˈsend-ˌəp How to pronounce send-up (audio)
Definition of send-upnext
as in parody
a work that imitates and exaggerates another work for comic effect a singer-comedian who specializes in send-ups of pop hits

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

send up

2 of 2

verb

as in to imitate
to copy or exaggerate (someone or something) in order to make fun of the sitcom sends up the "trials and tribulations" of the rich and famous

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 send-up
Noun
Scary Movie released in theaters on Friday, treating fans after a long hiatus to classically raunchy, Wayans-style send-ups of films like Get Out, Sinners, and M3GAN, all of which were glimpsed in teasers and trailers leading up to the premiere. — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 6 June 2026 Of course all the business between Patricia and the Boogeyman is just an excuse for Widow’s Bay to stage a corker of a send-up of 1978’s Halloween and slasher movies of its ilk. — Jen Chaney, Vulture, 3 June 2026
Verb
Its most dramatic attack occurred last week, when hundreds of drones overwhelmed Moscow’s air defenses and hit refineries and storage tanks, sending up black plumes of smoke that darkened the sky. — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 28 June 2026 Board members will send up to three picks to the board’s attorney by July 6, with each board member’s selections sent to the other members the day after. — Austin Horn june 25, Miami Herald, 25 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for send-up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for send-up
  1. parody
  2. imitate
  3. spoof
  4. mock
  5. satire
  6. do
Noun
  • Gordon has made a name for himself through parodies that channel different personas and genres.
    — Marc Malkin, Variety, 17 July 2026
  • Whitehead responded, characteristically, with a parody in Harper’s of a Wood review.
    — Boris Kachka, The Atlantic, 17 July 2026
Definition of parody
Verb
  • Creator culture can imitate the feeling of belonging without creating the lasting structure of belonging.
    — Belonging Forum, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
  • Technology that augments humans spreads prosperity, but technology built to imitate and substitute for them concentrates it.
    — Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 21 July 2026
Definition of imitate
Noun
  • Incode’s deepfake detection tool, Deepsight, distinguishes between real humans and a digital spoof in real-time.
    — Nia Bowers, USA Today, 16 July 2026
  • The lithe Pettet then sparkled as Mata Bond, the product of a love affair between Niven’s 007 and the spy Mata Hari, in the Bond spoof Casino Royale (1967).
    — Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 9 July 2026
Definition of spoof
Verb
  • Fans rightfully mocked the dancing cars mounted on robot arms that played during an inexplicable diversion on Universal Studios Hollywood’s Studio Tour.
    — Robert Niles, Oc Register, 21 July 2026
  • By and large, the General Assembly mocks his policy proposals and ignores his leadership.
    — Torrey Snow, Baltimore Sun, 18 July 2026
Definition of mock
Noun
  • What began as a bold social satire — blending visceral action with a critique of corporate greed, privatization, and the nature of identity — has resonated across generations, spawning sequels, television series, video games and comic books.
    — James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 21 July 2026
  • Ambitiously reaching past satire toward psychological revelation, the play piles on plot twists but offers thin, inconsistent character work and a retrograde climax, leaving its portrait of American familial dysfunction strangely underpowered.
    — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 21 July 2026
Definition of satire
Verb
  • Hernandez did an excellent job of easing Cornucopia, who was fitted with a brace before being removed from the track in an equine ambulance.
    — Bill Center, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 July 2026
  • The two did a great job improvising before Bandito finally connected with a powerbomb on the mat.
    — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
Definition of do

Browse Nearby Words

sends up
send-up
send up
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Send-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/send-up. Accessed 27 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of parochial

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Every Letter Is Silent, Sometimes: A-Z List of Examples
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 24

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
chain-question-mark
Missing Link Quiz July 2026 Five seconds to figure out the word that fits bot...
See All