travesty 1 of 2

1
as in parody
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 spoof
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

travesty

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun travesty differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of travesty are burlesque, caricature, and parody. While all these words mean "a comic or grotesque imitation," travesty implies that the subject remains unchanged but that the style is extravagant or absurd.

this production is a travesty of the opera

When could burlesque be used to replace travesty?

The words burlesque and travesty 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

Where would caricature be a reasonable alternative to travesty?

While the synonyms caricature and travesty are close in meaning, caricature implies ludicrous exaggeration of the characteristic features of a subject.

caricatures of politicians in cartoons

When would parody be a good substitute for travesty?

The words parody and travesty can be used in similar contexts, but 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

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 travesty
Noun
The Justice Department, however, can and must hold those responsible for this travesty accountable to the maximum legal extent. Mike Davis, The Denver Post, 19 Mar. 2025 Currently, not every state provides free lunch for all students, which is nothing short of a travesty. Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 2025
Verb
In 1933, the Marx Brothers mocked dictatorship with Duck Soup; three decades later, Kubrick and writer Terry Southern travestied the Bomb. The New Republic, 22 June 2023 Readers may be tempted to side at one moment with the defenders of Jewish caution and Jewish sentiment, however their instincts are travestied, and soon afterward with Zuckerman’s principled view of the autonomy of art. Cynthia Ozick, WSJ, 25 May 2018 See All Example Sentences for travesty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for travesty
Noun
  • Bowen Yang is opening up after Aimee Lou Wood criticized Saturday Night Live's parody of her.
    Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 21 Apr. 2025
  • Jordan’s dual roles emulate the Rodriquez siblings who were played by George Clooney and Tarantino himself, but with no sense of parody.
    Armond White, National Review, 18 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The suspects are using a spoof number and identifying themselves as Officers from the Peoria Police Department.
    Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025
  • After attending the prestigious Juilliard School for drama, Kilmer starred in the spy movie spoof Top Secret! and the college comedy Real Genius before appearing opposite Tom Cruise in the 1986 blockbuster Top Gun, playing Maverick’s rival Iceman.
    Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 1 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Does the fact that these Black leaders are among the rich that dandies would have mocked savor the inheritance of the style tradition or sully it?
    Akilah Sailers, Essence, 28 Apr. 2025
  • In the first round, the team stayed put at No. 14 and still landed a player that was widely mocked to the team in tight end Tyler Warren.
    Mark Weinstein, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Dave Chappelle roasted Donald Trump for taking over as chairman of the Kennedy Center—weeks after a past joke about the president went newly viral on social media.
    Jack Royston, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025
  • Joy Behar landed in hot water when a joke about a decades-old scandal fell flat.
    Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 1 May 2025
Verb
  • Its release created a wave of immense hype—and existential panic—about AI's ability to imitate human communication and composition.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 30 Apr. 2025
  • At its core is the capability of computer systems or algorithms to imitate intelligent human behavior – and in some cases improve how to interpret large amounts of data to make decisions and solve problems.
    Jill Standish, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • George Clooney received his Sardi’s caricature Thursday after making his Broadway debut in Good Night, and Good Luck this spring.
    Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 24 Apr. 2025
  • The conventional wisdom that artists are a handful yields a singular character in Cheyenne but also some clichéd caricatures.
    Judy Berman, Time, 23 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Svalbard is governed by a 1920 treaty that gives over 40 countries, including Russia, China and the U.S., equal rights to live and do business there.
    Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 30 Apr. 2025
  • When done thoughtfully, personalization drives loyalty.
    Aytekin Tank, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The set features an all-over stitched diamond pattern with neatly finished edges, curved corners, and matching shams for a cohesive look.
    Miles Walls, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Apr. 2025
  • Your order wouldn’t be complete without matching shams.
    Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 26 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Travesty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/travesty. Accessed 5 May. 2025.

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