carnivalesque
adjective
car·ni·val·esque
ˌkär-nə-və-ˈlesk 
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
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
In one instance, the permeation of real and carnivalesque, true and false, amateur and professional in Avignon reduced me to rubble.
—Helen Shaw, The New Yorker, 25 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for carnivalesque 
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.
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
In one instance, the permeation of real and carnivalesque, true and false, amateur and professional in Avignon reduced me to rubble.
—Helen Shaw, The New Yorker, 25 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for carnivalesque
Dictionary Entries Near carnivalesque
Cite this Entry
“Carnivalesque.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/carnivalesque. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share