parody 1 of 2

1
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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2
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

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
Bud Light plans to run a parody of the series, which gives fans up-close looks at the seasons of top NFL quarterbacks, via social media. Brian Steinberg, Variety, 10 July 2025 His mask is a stitched thing — lipless, white, eerily smooth yet rugged — a grim parody of life. Daphne Woolsoncroft, People.com, 8 July 2025
Verb
That backstage planning ensures that in front of the audience, the man who has spent his career parodying rock and pop stars is free to embody one himself. Rebecca Milzoff, Billboard, 9 June 2025 It's been parodied on Sesame Street and Family Guy. Virginia Chamlee, People.com, 23 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for parody
Recent Examples of Synonyms for parody
Noun
  • 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
  • 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
Noun
  • Buddusky tries to fill the room with noise, jokes, bluster.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 July 2025
  • Sketching swastikas and 'edgy' jokes: Idaho shooter not typical loner Who is Wess Roley?
    Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 24 July 2025
Verb
  • 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
  • The longtime litigator mocked the Mexican president's response.
    Michael Loria, USA Today, 18 July 2025
Noun
  • 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
  • The character and his stories were a satire on a judicial system taken to the extreme.
    Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 17 July 2025
Noun
  • Benson drew caricatures of departing staff (and, as columnist EJ Montini recounts, to playfully mock their disagreements).
    Joanna Allhands, AZCentral.com, 10 July 2025
  • This caricature of an all-powerful, morally bankrupt no-goodnik is actually the oldest immortal around.
    David Fear, Rolling Stone, 2 July 2025
Verb
  • Perhaps the Lake Bluff streakers heard of those at CLC and wanted to imitate them.
    Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 23 July 2025
  • 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
  • Ben, now 24, was schooled from an early age in classic Disney cartoons from the 1920s, ’30s and ’40s, thanks to the great Disney Treasures DVD sets.
    Carole Horst, Variety, 16 July 2025
  • For Obst, the creation of the play provided a real creative leap when Peanuts Worldwide, the company that manages the licensing of Schulz’s famous cartoon gang, granted her team the rare chance to write for its legendary characters.
    Megan Fitzgerald, Miami Herald, 16 July 2025
Verb
  • The Great Lakes freighter sank — one of the largest on Lake Superior ever to do so — during a violent November storm in 1975 while carrying Minnesota ore.
    Frank Witsil, Freep.com, 23 July 2025
  • When the nests are done, males entice females to join them.
    Sheryl De Vore, Chicago Tribune, 22 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Parody.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/parody. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

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