carnivalesque

adjective

car·​ni·​val·​esque ˌkär-nə-və-ˈlesk How to pronounce carnivalesque (audio)
1
: suggestive of a carnival
a carnivalesque celebration
2
: marked by an often mocking or satirical challenge to authority and the traditional social hierarchy
a carnivalesque protest

Examples of carnivalesque in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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The exhibition features 150 objects spotlighting the historical interactions of Britain with Africa, India and the Caribbean, all of which impacted Guyana where the artist grew up, juxtaposed with artworks by Locke such as carnivalesque figures ‘The Watchers’. Lee Sharrock, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024 The film’s centerpiece is a chaotic, carnivalesque parade of surrealistic characters marching through Tokyo. Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 28 Sep. 2024 Nicolay understands the industry’s highs and lows, having been a member of the Hold Steady, a rock band known for its elaborate storytelling, and of the carnivalesque punk band the World/Inferno Friendship Society. Hua Hsu, The New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2024 In Rocky Horror, Brad and Janet are our straight couple and Frank-N-Furter is the Freak-in-Chief overseeing a house full of carnivalesque characters. Fran Tirado, Them, 15 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for carnivalesque 

Word History

First Known Use

1791, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of carnivalesque was in 1791

Dictionary Entries Near carnivalesque

Cite this Entry

“Carnivalesque.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/carnivalesque. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.

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