1
as in parodies
a poor, insincere, or insulting imitation of something
rigged from the start, his trial was a travesty of justice
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in spoofs
a work that imitates and exaggerates another work for comic effect
the big-screen version of the classic sitcom is actually a good-natured travesty of the TV series
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in mocks
to copy or exaggerate (someone or something) in order to make fun of
this comedy sketch mindlessly travesties the hard work of relief workers around the world
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Recent Examples of travesties
Hunter Ingram, Variety, 8 Nov. 2025
Noun
By the season’s end, in fact, more than a few travesties are laid at Peter’s feet.
—Hunter Ingram, Variety, 8 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for travesties
Noun
-
Marlon Wayans, Shawn Wayans, and Michael Tiddes, the director of Scary Movie, take EW inside the making of the film's wild pair of post-credits parodies.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
6 June 2026
-
The sequel reboot brings original franchise stars Marlon, Shawn, Anna Faris and Regina Hall back to the world of horror movie parodies.—
Jack Smart,
PEOPLE,
5 June 2026
Noun
-
Based on the Apple TV series, the fizzy throwback spoofs Golden Age musicals, and follows an on-the-rocks couple who are trapped in a town where people sing and dance incessantly.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
8 June 2026
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There would be more scripted and carefully choreographed moments in his TV spots for Calvin Klein jeans and Obsession, collaborations with the writer Doon Arbus (daughter of Diane and Allan Arbus) that took chances (and which, for some viewers, are inseparable from memorable spoofs on SNL).—
Sheri Linden,
HollywoodReporter,
17 May 2026
Verb
-
The group openly mocks Jesus Christ and many Christian and Catholic traditions.—
Jon Root OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
30 May 2026
-
Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is demanding all copies of Unethical Hoops, a new Operation-style board game that mocks his foul-drawing reputation, be destroyed.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
Oftentimes Black artists are seen as caricatures or one-dimensional.—
Stuart Miller,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2026
-
Can storytelling help move audiences beyond caricatures, outrage, and contempt?—
Dana Taylor,
USA Today,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
But neither painting nor photography imitates nature.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 June 2026
-
Like most creative endeavors, art imitates life at Monse.—
Madeline Hirsch,
InStyle,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
Often the jokes are tied to an upcoming holiday or event.—
Arati Menon,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 June 2026
-
The Tribeca Film Festival has publicly condemned jokes made on the red carpet at the premiere of The Wedding Entertainer (The Tale of Moishe Badhan).—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
7 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Travesties.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/travesties. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
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