1
as in parody
a poor, insincere, or insulting imitation of something
rigged from the start, his trial was a travesty of justice
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2
as in spoof
a work that imitates and exaggerates another work for comic effect
the big-screen version of the classic sitcom is actually a good-natured travesty of the TV series
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as in to parody
to copy or exaggerate (someone or something) in order to make fun of
this comedy sketch mindlessly travesties the hard work of relief workers around the world
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Recent Examples of travesty
Dylan Matthews, Vox, 16 Aug. 2024
But the real slow-motion travesty and tragedy is in the GOP, where, though former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley is getting some traction, former President Donald Trump looks set to coast to the nomination.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 15 Jan. 2024
The New Republic, 22 June 2023
Readers may be tempted to side at one moment with the defenders of Jewish caution and Jewish sentiment, however their instincts are travestied, and soon afterward with Zuckerman’s principled view of the autonomy of art.
—Cynthia Ozick, WSJ, 25 May 2018
See all Example Sentences for travesty 
Noun
That’s a travesty, and even Democratic plans to expand the program don’t address it sufficiently.
—Dylan Matthews, Vox, 16 Aug. 2024
But the real slow-motion travesty and tragedy is in the GOP, where, though former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley is getting some traction, former President Donald Trump looks set to coast to the nomination.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 15 Jan. 2024
Verb
In 1933, the Marx Brothers mocked dictatorship with Duck Soup; three decades later, Kubrick and writer Terry Southern travestied the Bomb.
—The New Republic, 22 June 2023
Readers may be tempted to side at one moment with the defenders of Jewish caution and Jewish sentiment, however their instincts are travestied, and soon afterward with Zuckerman’s principled view of the autonomy of art.
—Cynthia Ozick, WSJ, 25 May 2018
See all Example Sentences for travesty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for travesty
Noun
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The Empire Strips Back: A Burlesque Parody Experience a unique blend of seduction and sci-fi with this burlesque parody show set in a galaxy far, far away.Luann Gibbs, The Enquirer, 6 Dec. 2024
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Vera Drew won Breakthrough Director for the zany superhero parody The People’s Joker.Patrick Hipes, Deadline, 2 Dec. 2024
Noun
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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
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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
Verb
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During the 2024 presidential campaign, Trump often mocked Macron, imitating his accent and threatening to impose steep tariffs on wine and champagne bottles shipped to the U.S. if France tried to tax American companies.SYLVIE CORBET, arkansasonline.com, 8 Dec. 2024
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During the 2024 presidential campaign, Trump often mocked Macron, imitating his accent and threatening to impose steep tariffs on wine and Champagne bottles shipped to the U.S. if France tried to tax American companies.Sylvie Corbet, Los Angeles Times, 7 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Mulaney did a classic couch set on The Tonight Show (perhaps the most classic venue for a couch set) with new jokes about his son, his son’s emerging rockabilly tendencies, and his son’s hatred for Steely Dan.Bethy Squires, Vulture, 13 Dec. 2024
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Like many classic Spongebob jokes, the scene became a meme, often referenced and recreated online.Dani Di Placido, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Life really does imitate art — and Jeremy Strong is here for it.Jake Kanter, Deadline, 11 Dec. 2024
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During the 2024 presidential campaign, Trump often mocked Macron, imitating his accent and threatening to impose steep tariffs on wine and champagne bottles shipped to the U.S. if France tried to tax American companies.SYLVIE CORBET, arkansasonline.com, 8 Dec. 2024
Noun
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There’s a thinning line between that and caricature.SPIN Team, SPIN, 28 Nov. 2024
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Some interpreted the painting as a Jewish caricature, and condemned or praised it accordingly, which did nothing to stop Asher from paying Sargent to give his family the same treatment.Jackson Arn, The New Yorker, 21 Nov. 2024
Verb
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Artificial intelligence models do much more than generate (occasionally accurate) text responses and (somewhat) realistic videos.Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 13 Dec. 2024
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The specific witness and notary requirements depend on your county’s regulations, so do your research ahead of time to ensure.Marisa Polansky and Kristine Keller, Vogue, 12 Dec. 2024
Noun
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One group acted as a control (no balloon), one as a sham (the balloon was uninflated), and the third was the treatment group (inflated device).New Atlas, New Atlas, 8 Dec. 2024
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These are the pillows, blankets, shams, duvet covers, and more that make their nights better.Cortne Bonilla, Vogue, 19 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near travesty
Cite this Entry
“Travesty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/travesty. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
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