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
With Mikey Day portraying Jesus, the cast began the show by enacting a parody of Matthew 21:13, when Jesus cleansed the temple of merchants and money changers. Megan Thomas, CNN Money, 13 Apr. 2025 Medication Ad This is a super fun commercial parody. Rosa Escandon, Forbes.com, 13 Apr. 2025
Verb
The 3x Golden Globe nominee channeled Gerard Way in the sketch ‘Goth Kid on Vacation’, which parodied the ’06 single ‘Welcome to the Black Parade’ with a Jamaican reggae medley featuring Kenan Thompson and Ego Nwodim. Glenn Garner, Deadline, 6 Apr. 2025 During her opening monologue, Madison — who was previously parodied by SNL cast member Heidi Gardner earlier in the season — poked fun at her stripper skills in the award-winning project. Nicholas Rice, People.com, 30 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for parody
Recent Examples of Synonyms for parody
Noun
  • The suspects are using a spoof number and identifying themselves as Officers from the Peoria Police Department.
    Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025
  • After attending the prestigious Juilliard School for drama, Kilmer starred in the spy movie spoof Top Secret! and the college comedy Real Genius before appearing opposite Tom Cruise in the 1986 blockbuster Top Gun, playing Maverick’s rival Iceman.
    Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 1 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Trump sued Maher in 2013 for $5 million after the comedian made a crass joke about his mother and an orangutan.
    Steff Danielle Thomas, The Hill, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Andrews adds musical interludes, which don’t always work, and brutal jokes, which do.
    Richard Brody, New Yorker, 18 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Does the fact that these Black leaders are among the rich that dandies would have mocked savor the inheritance of the style tradition or sully it?
    Akilah Sailers, Essence, 28 Apr. 2025
  • In the first round, the team stayed put at No. 14 and still landed a player that was widely mocked to the team in tight end Tyler Warren.
    Mark Weinstein, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Even with Ted Lasso on hiatus, Apple TV+ continues to be a presence in this category; no doubt, voters loved seeing Hollywood execs (and egomaniacal stars) get skewered on the streamer's movie-industry satire, The Studio.
    Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 23 Apr. 2025
  • Like a good martini, the novel blends the zesty gin of satire with vermouthy fruitiness and lemon twists of sharp observation.
    Rob Kyff, Hartford Courant, 19 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • George Clooney received his Sardi’s caricature Thursday after making his Broadway debut in Good Night, and Good Luck this spring.
    Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 24 Apr. 2025
  • The conventional wisdom that artists are a handful yields a singular character in Cheyenne but also some clichéd caricatures.
    Judy Berman, Time, 23 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The Cubs beat the Dodgers 16-0 on Saturday, featuring an entertaining moment in which position-player-pitching Miguel Rojas imitated the deliveries of a few Dodgers pitchers.
    Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Moreover, these models can imitate individuals' or industries' writing styles and wording.
    Kevin Korte, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Other kids spent Saturday mornings watching cartoons.
    Leena Tailor, HollywoodReporter, 26 Apr. 2025
  • Continue reading … Click here for more cartoons… MEDIA ‘ABSOLUTELY SICK’ – Parents file federal complaints after school forces 11-year-olds to take explicit health survey.
    , FOXNews.com, 25 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Svalbard is governed by a 1920 treaty that gives over 40 countries, including Russia, China and the U.S., equal rights to live and do business there.
    Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 30 Apr. 2025
  • Once you're done, gently rinse away all shaving cream with warm water, and pat dry with a clean towel. 7.
    Megan Gustashaw, Glamour, 29 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Parody.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/parody. Accessed 2 May. 2025.

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