PARODY Synonyms: 85 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

parody 1 of 2

noun

ˈper-ə-dē

Definition of parody

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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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

as in to mock

to copy or exaggerate (someone or something) in order to make fun of parodying a public figure's distinctive mannerisms takes particular talent

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

These polyester fits have also been parodied in video skits, where comedians put on an all-over polyester print outfit, like a wolf T-shirt and galaxy pants, and parody the stereotypical nerdy kid. — Rachel Hale, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2026 With such a glut of quirky comedy coming out of New Zealand, let’s hope this continues for as long as true crime remains ripe for parody. — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 11 Aug. 2026

Verb

In Mel Brooks’ parody fashion, the Spaceballs team parodied Marvel’s Hall H panels with an expansive Spaceballs Cinematic Universe, stretching across 180-degree screens in the room. — Laura Sirikul, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026 Maury Povich is looking back on being parodied by Jim Carrey on In Living Color. — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 22 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for parody

Recent Examples of Synonyms for 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

Verb

Her style of rental therapy is to mock, then mend; heckle, then help.

— Andrea Sachs, Washington Post, 25 Aug. 2026
The sources firmly rejected the draft declarations, characterizing them as publicity stunts designed to mock the league, sow division, and draw attention to the topic by demeaning others.

— Wayne Sterling, CNN Money, 24 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

Noun

King managed to take the suffocating history of the Indian — the treaties, the massacres, the Hollywood caricatures — and turn it into something conversational, even funny.

— Tommy Orange, Vulture, 26 Aug. 2026
Retailer Target pulled a children’s Halloween costume from its shelves Monday after widespread social media backlash, apologizing for selling a garment critics said evoked racist minstrel caricatures.

— Nancy Jiang, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of caricature

Verb

But in a case of life imitating art, the show’s entire publicity strategy was inadvertently wrecked by a real-life aristocrat, after reports leaked that Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, was being eyed for a role in the series.

— K.J. Yossman, Variety, 25 Aug. 2026
But from Ossoff, who cuts a more wholesome figure and doesn’t imitate the president, the attacks are more surprising—and therefore perhaps more effective.

— Elaine Godfrey, The Atlantic, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of imitate

Verb

As Korean growth picks up, President Lee Jae Myung could be excused for thinking his job as an economic reformer is done.

— William Pesek, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2026
Quarterback Jack Strand made the Atlanta Falcons’ initial 53-man roster Sunday, and running back Tyler Goodson did not.

— Josh Kendall, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of do

Browse Nearby Words

parodists

parody

parodying

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“Parody.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/parody. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of parody

noun

verb

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