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

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

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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 By its second and final season, however, the show had evolved into just as dark, audacious, and profound a satire as Nutting’s brilliant book. — Judy Berman, Time, 11 Aug. 2026 Running through Saturday, the 4th of July Tuna High School Class reunion takes over the third-tiniest town in Texas, bringing oddball humor and small-town satire into the spotlight. — Philip Potempa, Chicago Tribune, 6 Aug. 2026 Some of these memes adhered to conventional forms of political satire. — Evan Clarkson, The Conversation, 6 Aug. 2026 Among its many accolades, the satire became the first show in the venue’s 121-year history to gross more than $1 million in a single week. — Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 4 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for satire

Recent Examples of Synonyms for satire

Noun

Both shows make use of the parody defense, of course, that being the sly way for comedic artists to cash in on someone else’s intellectual property by insisting that their motives are honorably satirical.

— Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 24 Aug. 2026
Watch Sioux Falls’ parody on the Austin and Colin YouTube channel or visit their website.

— Angela George, Sioux Falls Argus Leader, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of parody

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

Noun

The comedy icon, who turned 100 in June, was born in the silent era and grew up in Brooklyn devouring double bills at his neighborhood theater in the 1930s.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026
Julie Klausner would like comedy liberated from the phone and returned to the sitcom.

— Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of comedy

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“Satire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/satire. Accessed 27 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of satire

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Synonyms of satire

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