as in parody
a work that imitates and exaggerates another work for comic effect
it is interesting to note that the first novel ever written in English was followed by a burlesque of it
Synonyms & Similar Words
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as in to parody
to copy or exaggerate (someone or something) in order to make fun of
burlesquing the teacher's nervous tic isn't very nice
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of burlesque
Sam Allard, Axios, 14 Mar. 2025
In addition to being a place to drink and do karaoke, Vern’s offered live entertainment, including burlesque shows and drag performances, held sip-and-paint classes and other events, and most recently hosted an adult Easter egg hunt.
—Gloria Casas, Chicago Tribune, 8 May 2025
James Wood, New Yorker, 14 July 2025
That song doesn’t belong in a film that promotes the era’s social fragmentation and repeats fatuous antagonisms — burlesqued by Melissa McCarthy playing the sea world’s villainous white-witch octopus Ursula.
—Armond White, National Review, 26 May 2023
See All Example Sentences for burlesque
Noun
The event, which takes place on the theater's intimate and recently renovated Knight Stage, is a throwback to the golden era of 1940s and 1950s burlesque.
—Sam Allard, Axios, 14 Mar. 2025
In addition to being a place to drink and do karaoke, Vern’s offered live entertainment, including burlesque shows and drag performances, held sip-and-paint classes and other events, and most recently hosted an adult Easter egg hunt.
—Gloria Casas, Chicago Tribune, 8 May 2025
Verb
That Dyer burlesque—of self-ravelling and unravelling—stretched across a memoir (though the narrative essentially ends at twenty-one) quickly takes on a quality of mock-heroic completism.
—James Wood, New Yorker, 14 July 2025
That song doesn’t belong in a film that promotes the era’s social fragmentation and repeats fatuous antagonisms — burlesqued by Melissa McCarthy playing the sea world’s villainous white-witch octopus Ursula.
—Armond White, National Review, 26 May 2023
See All Example Sentences for burlesque
Recent Examples of Synonyms for burlesque
Noun
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Fittingly, Yankovic and Miranda pulled together a parody of the viral Coldplay Cheating Camera with some help from Colbert’s late-night peers.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
22 July 2025
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Colbert soon developed a character for himself, a parody of conservative political pundits loosely based on Bill O'Reilly, then on Fox News.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
19 July 2025
Verb
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He was previously mocked on social media during a loss to Austin Peay in November, when the Fox College Hoops broadcast showed Clark sitting in the stands.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
19 July 2025
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But their identities — and the speculative affair — became fodder for millions online, from memes mocking the encounter to serious debate over HR violations.—
Jesus Mesa,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 July 2025
Noun
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Following the success of 1980 spoof film Airplane!, which made $78 million at the box office ($214 million today) co-directors David Zucker, Jim Abrahams and Jerry Zucker hoped to make a similar comedy about police officers inspired by the 1950s Lee Marvin drama series M Squad.—
Ryan Gajewski,
HollywoodReporter,
13 July 2025
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The actress hosted a cookout with Bounty on June 25 in Los Angeles, and there, and shared her barbecue essentials and favorite scene from the spoof with PEOPLE. Hall, 54, has positive memories of working with Keenan Ivory Wayans for the first time on the set of the 2000 classic.—
Angelina Liu,
People.com,
7 July 2025
Verb
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Perhaps the Lake Bluff streakers heard of those at CLC and wanted to imitate them.—
Charles Selle,
Chicago Tribune,
23 July 2025
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The park’s hub-and-spoke design has been copied by parks around the world, but the caliber of Disneyland’s craftsmanship wasn’t easily imitated.—
Eve Chen,
USA Today,
18 July 2025
Noun
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Often a satire of American and British culture, the character has bionic eyes and is empowered to serve as judge, jury and executioner in the fascist society.—
Rebecca Rubin,
Variety,
17 July 2025
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The character and his stories were a satire on a judicial system taken to the extreme.—
Borys Kit,
HollywoodReporter,
17 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Burlesque.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/burlesque. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
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