Thesaurus results for BURLESQUE

Q: How does the noun 'burlesque' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of burlesque are caricature , parody , and travesty . While all these words mean "a comic or grotesque imitation," burlesque implies mockery especially through giving a serious or lofty subject a frivolous treatment. // a nightclub burlesque of a trial in court

Q: In what contexts can 'caricature' take the place of 'burlesque'?

The words caricature and burlesque are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, caricature implies ludicrous exaggeration of the characteristic features of a subject. // caricatures of politicians in cartoons

Q: When might 'parody' be a better fit than 'burlesque'?

The synonyms parody and burlesque are sometimes interchangeable, but 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

Q: When is it sensible to use 'travesty' instead of 'burlesque'?

The meanings of travesty and burlesque largely overlap; however, travesty implies that the subject remains unchanged but that the style is extravagant or absurd. // this production is a travesty of the opera

burlesque 1 of 2

noun

(ˌ)bər-ˈlesk

Definition of burlesque next

as in parody

a work that imitates and exaggerates another work for comic effect it is interesting to note that the first novel ever written in English was followed by a burlesque of it

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

burlesque

2 of 2

verb

as in to parody

to copy or exaggerate (someone or something) in order to make fun of burlesquing the teacher's nervous tic isn't very nice

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun burlesque differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of burlesque are caricature, parody, and travesty. While all these words mean "a comic or grotesque imitation," burlesque implies mockery especially through giving a serious or lofty subject a frivolous treatment.

a nightclub burlesque of a trial in court

In what contexts can caricature take the place of burlesque?

The words caricature and burlesque are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, caricature implies ludicrous exaggeration of the characteristic features of a subject.

caricatures of politicians in cartoons

When might parody be a better fit than burlesque?

The synonyms parody and burlesque are sometimes interchangeable, but 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

When is it sensible to use travesty instead of burlesque?

The meanings of travesty and burlesque largely overlap; however, 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 burlesque

Noun

This show drops classic Star Wars characters into the world of burlesque and transports you to the dark side for an evening of hilarious, sultry fun. —

Luann Gibbs, The Enquirer, 6 Dec. 2024 In the end, as Reno and the reader may have sensed all along, her detachment is just another performance, a cool-girl put-on not so different from Rachel K’s burlesque. —

Lily Meyer, The Atlantic, 3 Sep. 2024

Verb

That song doesn’t belong in a film that promotes the era’s social fragmentation and repeats fatuous antagonisms — burlesqued by Melissa McCarthy playing the sea world’s villainous white-witch octopus Ursula. —

Armond White, National Review, 26 May 2023 The seeming callousness with which the dancers burlesque a fourteen-year-old’s death—the breezy way that the dance turns a killing into a sight gag—induces a shiver. —

Jody Rosen, The New Yorker, 7 Dec. 2022 See all Example Sentences for burlesque

Recent Examples of Synonyms for burlesque

Noun

The brand will collaborate with the long-running NBC sketch comedy show on a parody commercial spotlighting the benefits of the new hair care line.

— WWD Staff, WWD, 13 Feb. 2025
Dratch was the last in a group of five SNL alums to debut her Real Housewives tagline parody, spoofing the franchise's tradition of the housewives introducing themselves with a catty one-liner.

— Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 12 Feb. 2025