1
as in parody
a poor, insincere, or insulting imitation of something
that TV network's reporting is a mere caricature of real journalism
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2
as in spoof
a work that imitates and exaggerates another work for comic effect
the artist creates caricatures of famous paintings by replacing humans with cats
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3
as in exaggeration
the representation of something in terms that go beyond the facts
the mayor has presented only a caricature of his opponent's views
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to parody
to copy or exaggerate (someone or something) in order to make fun of
caricatured the supervisor's distinctive walk
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of caricature
Carrie Honaker, Bon Appetit Magazine, 23 Apr. 2026
The other women in the friends’ lives — primarily their mothers — don’t fare much better and are reduced to near-caricatures.
—Frank Rizzo, Variety, 23 Apr. 2026
James Broughel, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
For years now, Europe has been caricatured as too divided to act, too lethargic to decide, too comfortable to think strategically.
—Fareed Zakaria, Washington Post, 15 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for caricature
Noun
In another gallery, Joe Overstreet’s The New Jemima reimagines a racist caricature as a bold, satirical portrait of power, its bright colors dominating the quiet space.
—Carrie Honaker, Bon Appetit Magazine, 23 Apr. 2026
The other women in the friends’ lives — primarily their mothers — don’t fare much better and are reduced to near-caricatures.
—Frank Rizzo, Variety, 23 Apr. 2026
Verb
These changes have been caricatured as authoritarian and corrupt.
—James Broughel, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
For years now, Europe has been caricatured as too divided to act, too lethargic to decide, too comfortable to think strategically.
—Fareed Zakaria, Washington Post, 15 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for caricature
Recent Examples of Synonyms for caricature
Noun
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Both a parody of action films and a legitimately great action film on its own terms, this is one of the best genre hybrids of the aughts.—
Brian Tallerico,
Vulture,
11 May 2026
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The film from Picturehouse has over 85K social followers on its parody Instagram account (@bboymalone212).—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
10 May 2026
Noun
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Rather than focusing on the conspiracy theories Jones espoused, the new InfoWars will build its comedic base off a spoof of the old site’s predatory snake oil rackets.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
29 Apr. 2026
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That movie was an instant cult classic, a terrific spoof of modern-day music celebrity that was well received by critics.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
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And no, that isn’t an exaggeration.—
Rod Stafford Hagwood,
Sun Sentinel,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Even referring to it as a national convention was an exaggeration, since any Stanley get‑together in Dallas would have been a regional rally with, at most, a few hundred salespeople.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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This is also not the first time the president has mocked the Illinois governor's weight.—
Hannah Hudnall,
USA Today,
12 May 2026
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The two Republicans are heard on the video mocking Wu's accent during the introduction of that bill.—
Ashley Paul,
CBS News,
12 May 2026
Noun
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The charm offensive was benefited Rubio peppering in a number of jokes during his hourlong appearance.—
Washington Examiner Staff,
The Washington Examiner,
7 May 2026
-
Thor is now a circus clown — not even a funny one at that — relegated to being the butt of Star-Lord's unfunny jokes and the least-serious Avenger.—
Sergio Pereira,
Space.com,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
Aster, whose satire Eddington premiered at Cannes last year, and his partner Lars Knudsen will produce through their Square Peg banner.—
Justin Kroll,
Deadline,
6 May 2026
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This week’s Independent Press Top 40 Bestsellers for fiction and nonfiction • The 27 books out in paperback this month • Is satire really dead?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 May 2026
Noun
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Some of the new cocktails include the Dubai Tai, which mixes rum, a pistachio simple syrup and chocolate, and the Ay Dio Tigre, made with tequila, strawberry, watermelon, tajin and red food coloring.—
Carlos Rico,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 May 2026
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One new study looked at how the coloring of microplastics – the tiny bits of plastics found everywhere from our rivers to our brains – may actually be helping increase temperatures.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
7 May 2026
Verb
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Once established, oaks can grow moderately fast if kept watered and then mulched with compost to eliminate competition and imitate forest conditions.—
Luke Miller,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 May 2026
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Those cells are highly responsive to mechanical stress—the reason weight-bearing exercise strengthens the skeleton—and the device is designed to imitate that signal through subtle vibration.—
Alice Gregory,
Vogue,
11 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Caricature.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/caricature. Accessed 14 May. 2026.
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