burlesque 1 of 2

noun

(ˌ)bər-ˈlesk How to pronounce burlesque (audio)
Definition of burlesquenext
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
The main performance is scheduled to include aerial acrobatics, bondage, burlesque and drag performers from groups such as The Dragonettes, AKArts Collective and others with hypnotic live looping and vocal music from Morgan Sorne. — Anne Schrager, San Francisco Chronicle, 11 Feb. 2026 Hell’s Half-acre, the bawdy section of town, was thriving, the Texas Brewery opened in 1891, and Byer’s Opera House had brought burlesque to Cowtown. — Richard Selcer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Nov. 2025
Verb
One burlesqued the Oscar broadcast’s impending move to YouTube, in 2029. — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 16 Mar. 2026 During that visit, Manson spoke about his friendship with French-Chilean artist Alejandro Jodorowsky, who lived in Mexico during the 1970s and 1980s and officiated Manson’s wedding to burlesque performer Dita Von Teese in Ireland in 2005. — Natalia Cano, Billboard, 11 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for burlesque
Recent Examples of Synonyms for burlesque
  1. parody
  2. mock
  3. spoof
  4. imitate
  5. satire
Noun
  • These polyester fits have also been parodied in video skits, where comedians put on an all-over polyester print outfit, like a wolf T-shirt and galaxy pants, and parody the stereotypical nerdy kid.
    — Rachel Hale, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2026
  • The series, which featured elaborate original musical numbers ranging from Broadway parodies to pop pastiches, earned Bloom a Golden Globe for best actress in a television comedy or musical as well as an Emmy and Critics’ Choice Award.
    — Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of parody
Verb
  • These included Mao Zedong of China and Kim Il Sung of North Korea, as well as one mocking Ho Chi Minh, the father of Vietnam’s communist revolution.
    — Sopheng Cheang, Los Angeles Times, 17 Aug. 2026
  • On Douban, a popular Chinese movie-review platform, viewers piled on with mocking and bewildered comments.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of mock
Noun
  • The actor's limited screen time, primarily relegated to head-nodding and offering reassurance to Odysseus, has sparked memes on social media, including a Kratos spoof of her character.
    — Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Spaceballs saw Moranis as Lord Dark Helmet, the villainous spoof of Star Wars’ iconic villain Darth Vader.
    — Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of spoof
Verb
  • Under Kirby Smart, Georgia’s defense remains the modern prototype most of college football aims to imitate.
    — Noah White, Miami Herald, 18 Aug. 2026
  • For an industry watching this unfold, the lesson is not that scarcity marketing is a clever new tactic worth imitating everywhere.
    — Olivia Shalhoup, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of imitate
Noun
  • These 2026 debuts are everywhere, especially the tradwife satire by Caro Claire Burke, which has sold more than a million copies since its April release.
    — Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 12 Aug. 2026
  • The episode underscores how California candidates in both parties are rushing to the bleeding edge of generative AI, from cinematic deepfake-style attack ads to meme-ready political satire.
    — Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of satire

Browse Nearby Words

burking
burlesque
burlesqued
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Burlesque.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/burlesque. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on burlesque

Nglish: Translation of burlesque for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about burlesque

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of rigmarole

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
alt-684346df967d5
Add A Letter Quiz Pick the letter that goes in the same spot in fou...
See All