CARICATURE Synonyms: 110 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'caricature' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of caricature are burlesque , parody , and travesty . While all these words mean "a comic or grotesque imitation," caricature implies ludicrous exaggeration of the characteristic features of a subject. // caricatures of politicians in cartoons

Q: When might 'burlesque' be a better fit than 'caricature'?

The meanings of burlesque and caricature largely overlap; however, burlesque implies mockery especially through giving a serious or lofty subject a frivolous treatment. // a nightclub burlesque of a trial in court

Q: In what contexts can 'parody' take the place of 'caricature'?

The synonyms parody and caricature are sometimes interchangeable, 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

Q: When is 'travesty' a more appropriate choice than 'caricature'?

The words travesty and caricature are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, travesty implies that the subject remains unchanged but that the style is extravagant or absurd. // this production is a travesty of the opera

caricature 1 of 2

noun

ˈker-i-kə-ˌchu̇r

Definition of caricature

as in parody

a poor, insincere, or insulting imitation of something that TV network's reporting is a mere caricature of real journalism

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in spoof

a work that imitates and exaggerates another work for comic effect the artist creates caricatures of famous paintings by replacing humans with cats

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as in exaggeration

the representation of something in terms that go beyond the facts the mayor has presented only a caricature of his opponent's views

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

caricature

2 of 2

verb

as in to parody

to copy or exaggerate (someone or something) in order to make fun of caricatured the supervisor's distinctive walk

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How does the noun caricature differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of caricature are burlesque, parody, and travesty. While all these words mean "a comic or grotesque imitation," caricature implies ludicrous exaggeration of the characteristic features of a subject.

caricatures of politicians in cartoons

When might burlesque be a better fit than caricature?

The meanings of burlesque and caricature largely overlap; however, burlesque implies mockery especially through giving a serious or lofty subject a frivolous treatment.

a nightclub burlesque of a trial in court

In what contexts can parody take the place of caricature?

The synonyms parody and caricature are sometimes interchangeable, 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

When is travesty a more appropriate choice than caricature?

The words travesty and caricature are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 caricature

Noun

Target is apologizing for selling a children's Halloween costume that some described as reminiscent of racist minstrel caricatures. — Yi-Jin Yu, ABC News, 25 Aug. 2026 At the same time, neither Marija nor Vytas is ever reduced to a caricature. — Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 21 Aug. 2026

Verb

In an accompanying cartoon, Spark is caricatured as a sulking giant, tottering above the Tuscan countryside in a pair of high heels. — Literary Hub, 9 June 2026 This idea of reasonableness is easily caricatured as moral timidity or a bloodless neutrality that drains politics of passion. — Nikhil Krishnan, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for caricature

Recent Examples of Synonyms for caricature

Noun

This magazine, established in 1955, publishes lighthearted parodies of academic literature, bogus scientific studies, and satirical commentary on absurd research.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 31 Aug. 2026
The order, which directs federal officials to formalize the name change within 30 days, quickly sparked backlash, jokes and parody proposals.

— Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of parody

Noun

It's been a great couple of years for horror movies, which means that the time was right for the return of horror spoofs.

— K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 26 Aug. 2026
Kimmel and Damon then bicker over who has a rightful paternal claim to the child, culminating in a pitch-perfect spoof of Maury featuring Short as Povich.

— Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of spoof

Noun

The backlash is usually predictable, every wave of visible mobility aid use brings accusations of exaggeration and attention-seeking, aimed almost entirely at young women.

— Keely Cat-Wells, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Distracting from real issues These conspiracy theories are more than exaggerations for a broader audience.

— Aaron Coy Moulton, The Conversation, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of exaggeration

Verb

The viral video of Gibson appearing to mock the Fan Expo ASL interpreter sparked backlash against the actor as well as FanExpo for platforming the controversial star.

— Zack Sharf, Variety, 31 Aug. 2026
Mel Gibson apologized Monday after video surfaced showing the actor mocking a sign language interpreter.

— Tracy Wright, FOXNews.com, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of mock

Noun

In 2025 Turner showed his eclectic tastes, appearing in the romantic drama Eternity, the war on terrorism satire Atropia, and the low-budget art-house mystery Rose of Nevada.

— L. Sue Baugh, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026
Because object narrators tend to be things that circulate across layers of society, the it-narrative offered a ready platform for social satire.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of satire

Verb

In any event, there’s difficult-to-imitate value in how Planet of the Apes begins as a simple adventure film and winds up touching upon issues of prejudice, social inequality, and nuclear annihilation.

— Jesse Hassenger, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Sep. 2026
One year later, Clooney, 65, is back at the Venice Film Festival for a spin in the spotlight on the opening night for a bit of life imitating art.

— Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of imitate

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“Caricature.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/caricature. Accessed 3 Sep. 2026.

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verb

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