PARODY Synonyms: 85 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of parody are burlesque , caricature , and travesty . While all these words mean "a comic or grotesque imitation," 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: Where would 'burlesque' be a reasonable alternative to 'parody'?

The words burlesque and parody are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, burlesque implies mockery especially through giving a serious or lofty subject a frivolous treatment. // a nightclub burlesque of a trial in court

Q: When is 'caricature' a more appropriate choice than 'parody'?

Although the words caricature and parody have much in common, caricature implies ludicrous exaggeration of the characteristic features of a subject. // caricatures of politicians in cartoons

Q: When could 'travesty' be used to replace 'parody'?

The synonyms travesty and parody are sometimes interchangeable, but travesty implies that the subject remains unchanged but that the style is extravagant or absurd. // this production is a travesty of the opera

parody 1 of 2

noun

ˈper-ə-dē

Definition of parody next

as in spoof

a work that imitates and exaggerates another work for comic effect the musical is a parody of every biblical epic ever made

Synonyms & Similar Words

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as in joke

a poor, insincere, or insulting imitation of something the young man sported a feeble parody of a mustache in a vain attempt to make himself look older

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

parody

2 of 2

verb

as in to mock

to copy or exaggerate (someone or something) in order to make fun of parodying a public figure's distinctive mannerisms takes particular talent

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun parody differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of parody are burlesque, caricature, and travesty. While all these words mean "a comic or grotesque imitation," 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

Where would burlesque be a reasonable alternative to parody?

The words burlesque and parody are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, burlesque implies mockery especially through giving a serious or lofty subject a frivolous treatment.

a nightclub burlesque of a trial in court

When is caricature a more appropriate choice than parody?

Although the words caricature and parody have much in common, caricature implies ludicrous exaggeration of the characteristic features of a subject.

caricatures of politicians in cartoons

When could travesty be used to replace parody?

The synonyms travesty and parody are sometimes interchangeable, but travesty implies that the subject remains unchanged but that the style is extravagant or absurd.

this production is a travesty of the opera

Examples Sentences

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Recent Examples of parody

Noun

The premise is similar, the same set of girls now lead by Charli XCX come out to sing a parody of Chappell Roan’s ‘Hot To Go’ at Kelsey’s baby shower. —

Rosa Escandon, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024 There are few movies as quotable as the 1980 disaster-movie parody Airplane! —

Abraham Josephine Riesman, Vulture, 26 Nov. 2024

Verb

One, which was later parodied in a famous Chappelle’s Show skit, required the artists to walk more than five miles to fetch him cheesecake from a Brooklyn restaurant. —

Hannah Giorgis, The Atlantic, 15 Oct. 2024 The sketch then shifted to the faux-emotional, parodying the candidates’ inclination to agree with each other during the debate. —

Michaela Zee, Variety, 6 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for parody

Recent Examples of Synonyms for parody

Noun

Viewers resistant to a landslide of scatological humor, however, may find the laughs pretty slim in this overlong, uninspired monster spoof.

Dennis Harvey, Variety, 6 Dec. 2024
Adams doesn’t have a ton to do in Adam McKay’s hit-or-miss NASCAR spoof, other than one key scene where her long, silky mane and sensual speechifying convince superstar Ricky Bobby (Will Ferrell) to get behind the wheel again.

Matthew Jacobs, Vulture, 6 Dec. 2024