parody 1 of 2

Definition of parodynext
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

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
That’s because while there was fun and entertainment to be had, and while it could easily be construed as empowering (there is a real argument to be made there, about women owning their bodies, their sexuality, their presence), the segment also edged toward parody. Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 13 Apr. 2026 Human artists have designed creative parodies of AI slop, but AI lacks the necessary self-awareness to parody itself, even with a human behind the wheel. Cath Virginia, The Verge, 11 Apr. 2026
Verb
Many parodied her overt sexuality by swapping her out for someone decidedly less sexy on the wrecking ball. Ben Pettis, The Conversation, 3 Apr. 2026 And of course Burrs, whom Donica plays with titanic, Sweeney-esque feeling and force of baritone, is all the more self-hating and compromised, having made a career parodying himself. Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 19 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for parody
Recent Examples of Synonyms for parody
Noun
  • Nearly 40 years after Spaceballs first hit theaters in 1987, Mel Brooks' Star Wars spoof is gearing up for another ride.
    Maddie Garfinkle, PEOPLE, 16 Apr. 2026
  • In the timely space spoof, the four Artemis 2 astronauts, portrayed by Colman Domingo, Mikey Day, Marcello Hernández, and Sarah Sherman offer an update on their moon mission at Day 9.
    Jeff Spry, Space.com, 14 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The jaw-dropping transformations prompted a hilarious running joke in the comments section from viewers seeking glow-ups of their own.
    Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 16 Apr. 2026
  • For too long, Charlotte has been a running joke of a pro sports city.
    Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 16 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The former housekeeper for Jenner further claims that she was mocked for her accent and degraded.
    Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026
  • The diary writing nurtures an internal life by giving oxygen to what previously had been ephemeral, easily self-mocked as inappropriate, or troubling.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • But what begins as a makeover soon spirals into a sharp social media satire about image, app culture, and the cost of becoming someone else.
    Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 16 Apr. 2026
  • In an environment where public discourse is increasingly siloed and policed, South Park has leaned into the power and responsibility of satire.
    Michael Schneider, Variety, 16 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • His flamboyance never tips into caricature, and along with wit and warmth there is real pain.
    The Week UK, TheWeek, 16 Apr. 2026
  • And in mainstream television, Latinos are very often caricatures.
    Matthew Carey, Deadline, 15 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Then comes that particular way of speaking so well imitated by comedians Armando Roblan and Eddy Calderón during long seasons in Calle Ocho theaters and on Miami radio.
    Sarah Moreno, Miami Herald, 16 Apr. 2026
  • Both of us remember childhood weekends spent recording our own camcorder sketch shows — Lee imitating Dana Carvey’s Ross Perot and Molly Shannon’s Mary Catherine Gallagher, Jenn pushing the boundaries of absurdism far past the point of actually getting laughs.
    Lee Kelly, PEOPLE, 12 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Inspired by both the classic cartoons of the 1930s and gritty noir detective movies of the same era, the black-and-white, first-person shooter game stars Baker as the main protagonist, mouse detective Jack Pepper.
    Jennifer Maas, Variety, 16 Apr. 2026
  • But this new cartoon and its elastic and slaphappy star, Mickey Mouse, represented a dramatic turnaround for the 5-year-old company.
    Mark Lane, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • That leaves Washington at a strange juncture, with widespread agreement among lawmakers that something should be done to address the issue of prediction markets.
    ABC News, ABC News, 17 Apr. 2026
  • LaCava said money is set aside for a complete repaving of Via Capri once utility work in the area is done.
    Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Parody.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/thesaurus/parody. Accessed 24 Apr. 2026.

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