Thesaurus results for SATIRE

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

Some common synonyms of satire are humor , irony , repartee , sarcasm , and wit . While all these words mean "a mode of expression intended to arouse amusement," satire applies to writing that exposes or ridicules conduct, doctrines, or institutions either by direct criticism or more often through irony, parody, or caricature. // a satire on the Congress

Q: Where would 'humor' be a reasonable alternative to 'satire'?

While in some cases nearly identical to satire , humor implies an ability to perceive the ludicrous, the comical, and the absurd in human life and to express these usually without bitterness. // a sense of humor

Q: When is 'irony' a more appropriate choice than 'satire'?

Although the words irony and satire have much in common, irony applies to a manner of expression in which the intended meaning is the opposite of what is seemingly expressed. // the irony of the title

Q: When would 'repartee' be a good substitute for 'satire'?

The synonyms repartee and satire are sometimes interchangeable, but repartee implies the power of answering quickly, pointedly, or wittily. // a dinner guest noted for repartee

Q: When can 'sarcasm' be used instead of 'satire'?

The words sarcasm and satire can be used in similar contexts, but sarcasm applies to expression frequently in the form of irony that is intended to cut or wound. // given to heartless sarcasm

Q: When could 'wit' be used to replace 'satire'?

The meanings of wit and satire largely overlap; however, wit suggests the power to evoke laughter by remarks showing verbal felicity or ingenuity and swift perception especially of the incongruous. // a playful wit

satire

noun

ˈsa-ˌtī(-ə)r

Definition of satire next

as in parody

a creative work that uses sharp humor to point up the foolishness of a person, institution, or human nature in general a satire about the music industry in which a handsome but untalented youth is turned into a pop star

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun satire differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of satire are humor, irony, repartee, sarcasm, and wit. While all these words mean "a mode of expression intended to arouse amusement," satire applies to writing that exposes or ridicules conduct, doctrines, or institutions either by direct criticism or more often through irony, parody, or caricature.

a satire on the Congress

Where would humor be a reasonable alternative to satire?

While in some cases nearly identical to satire, humor implies an ability to perceive the ludicrous, the comical, and the absurd in human life and to express these usually without bitterness.

a sense of humor

When is irony a more appropriate choice than satire?

Although the words irony and satire have much in common, irony applies to a manner of expression in which the intended meaning is the opposite of what is seemingly expressed.

the irony of the title

When would repartee be a good substitute for satire?

The synonyms repartee and satire are sometimes interchangeable, but repartee implies the power of answering quickly, pointedly, or wittily.

a dinner guest noted for repartee

When can sarcasm be used instead of satire?

The words sarcasm and satire can be used in similar contexts, but sarcasm applies to expression frequently in the form of irony that is intended to cut or wound.

given to heartless sarcasm

When could wit be used to replace satire?

The meanings of wit and satire largely overlap; however, wit suggests the power to evoke laughter by remarks showing verbal felicity or ingenuity and swift perception especially of the incongruous.

a playful wit

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 satire What everyone on the series was drawn to was combining the conspiracy thriller with a satire of everyday life. —

Bill Desowitz, IndieWire, 3 Feb. 2025 The Substance Photo: MUBI/Everett Collection The bloody French satire is running slightly ahead of Wicked on the basis of Coralie Fargeat’s Screenplay and Director nods. —

Nate Jones, Vulture, 30 Jan. 2025 Green’s debut, a social satire about journalism and the cult of celebrities, has convinced me this genre is cursed. —

Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Jan. 2025 That mix between political satire and off-kilter romance sits at the heart of Atropia, a film that Gates first set out to make as a documentary about the changeover in these fake towns from the Middle East to Russia, landing eventually in a fictional 2006 — three years into the Iraq War. —

Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 31 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for satire

Recent Examples of Synonyms for satire

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