1
as in parody
a poor, insincere, or insulting imitation of something
rigged from the start, his trial was a travesty of justice
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in spoof
a work that imitates and exaggerates another work for comic effect
the big-screen version of the classic sitcom is actually a good-natured travesty of the TV series
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in to parody
to copy or exaggerate (someone or something) in order to make fun of
this comedy sketch mindlessly travesties the hard work of relief workers around the world
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of travesty
Chicago Tribune, 8 May 2025
The fact that John Ford — who any cinephile would consider one of the most important directors of all time — his final movie just looks like garbage is a travesty.
—J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 24 Apr. 2025
The New Republic, 22 June 2023
Readers may be tempted to side at one moment with the defenders of Jewish caution and Jewish sentiment, however their instincts are travestied, and soon afterward with Zuckerman’s principled view of the autonomy of art.
—Cynthia Ozick, WSJ, 25 May 2018
See All Example Sentences for travesty
Noun
This is a travesty and reflects the images of a soldier being left behind in battle.
—Chicago Tribune, 8 May 2025
The fact that John Ford — who any cinephile would consider one of the most important directors of all time — his final movie just looks like garbage is a travesty.
—J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 24 Apr. 2025
Verb
In 1933, the Marx Brothers mocked dictatorship with Duck Soup; three decades later, Kubrick and writer Terry Southern travestied the Bomb.
—The New Republic, 22 June 2023
Readers may be tempted to side at one moment with the defenders of Jewish caution and Jewish sentiment, however their instincts are travestied, and soon afterward with Zuckerman’s principled view of the autonomy of art.
—Cynthia Ozick, WSJ, 25 May 2018
See All Example Sentences for travesty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for travesty
Noun
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The original Spaceballs quite explicitly hints at a sequel in a scene between Lone Starr (a parody of Luke Skywalker and Han Solo) and the Yoda-esque character of Yogurt (played by Brooks).—
Maddie Garfinkle,
People.com,
13 June 2025
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The rest of the cast is uneven, with certain scenes played poorly enough to evoke parody.—
Jordan Mintzer,
HollywoodReporter,
11 June 2025
Noun
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Other people and publications dug the Severance spoof — as of this writing, the Ravens’ reveal video had 9,000 likes on X and nearly 3,000 on YouTube (with 70,000 views).—
Tony Maglio,
HollywoodReporter,
16 May 2025
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However, fans were led to believe the spoof was still bothering her as she was photographed crying in London on Monday.—
Christina Dugan Ramirez,
FOXNews.com,
16 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Some right wingers will watch to mock the protesters or watch for signs of violence.—
Chris Morris,
Fortune,
14 June 2025
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The Baloncesto Superior Nacional league announced Tuesday that Cousins was kicked off the Mets de Guaynabo after a vile gesture toward a fan, grabbing his genitals to mock the fan as the fan flipped both his middle fingers.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
11 June 2025
Noun
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Surrounded by her animals at home, Lin watched re-runs of The Big Bang Theory, practicing the cadence of the words, the rising sound of a joke, the pacing of each phrase.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 June 2025
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The site’s users took great joy in watching the feud in real time, responding to the showdown between the president and the world’s wealthiest man with jokes and memes.—
Dani Di Placido,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2025
Verb
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Life is not imitating art for The White Lotus stars Walton Goggins and Aimee Lou Wood.—
Sydney Bucksbaum,
EW.com,
4 June 2025
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One example is the achievement of Heinz ketchup in validating its market dominance by showing how art imitates life, and AI imitates humans.—
John Werner,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2025
Noun
-
The caricature of Morrison, of course, is very different.—
Daniel Taylor,
New York Times,
6 June 2025
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Over a seven decade career, Jansson wrote and drew for children and adults, making comics, paintings, caricatures, and novels.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
5 June 2025
Verb
-
Nothing complicated, but something the whole family can do together.—
Hannah Nwoko,
Parents,
16 June 2025
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Below, 20 Forbes Business Council members discuss what companies can do now to ensure reliable supply chains in the future.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
16 June 2025
Noun
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Pottery Barn Outlet Bedding Deals There are plenty of deals on comfortable quilts, cozy comforters, and shams in the Pottery Barn bedding sale section.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
26 May 2025
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Quince often has Bundle & Save offers for up to 25% off select clothing and bedding sets with hotel-quality sheets, duvets, and shams.—
Alanna Martine Kilkeary,
Glamour,
20 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Travesty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/travesty. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.
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