travesty 1 of 2

noun

ˈtra-və-stē How to pronounce travesty (audio)
Definition of travestynext
1
as in parody
a poor, insincere, or insulting imitation of something rigged from the start, his trial was a travesty of justice

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

travesty

2 of 2

verb

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun travesty differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of travesty are burlesque, caricature, and parody. While all these words mean "a comic or grotesque imitation," travesty implies that the subject remains unchanged but that the style is extravagant or absurd.

this production is a travesty of the opera

When could burlesque be used to replace travesty?

The words burlesque and travesty 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

Where would caricature be a reasonable alternative to travesty?

While the synonyms caricature and travesty are close in meaning, caricature implies ludicrous exaggeration of the characteristic features of a subject.

caricatures of politicians in cartoons

When would parody be a good substitute for travesty?

The words parody and travesty can be used in similar contexts, 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

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 travesty
Noun
This is a travesty and a heartbreaking disaster. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 8 May 2026 Hardly a travesty, but not what a 5-star guest might be accustomed to. — Manal Albarakati, semafor.com, 23 Apr. 2026
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
  1. parody
  2. spoof
  3. mock
  4. joke
  5. imitate
  6. caricature
  7. do
  8. sham
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
  • It's been a great couple of years for horror movies, which means that the time was right for the return of horror spoofs.
    — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Kimmel and Damon then bicker over who has a rightful paternal claim to the child, culminating in a pitch-perfect spoof of Maury featuring Short as Povich.
    — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of spoof
Verb
  • Her style of rental therapy is to mock, then mend; heckle, then help.
    — Andrea Sachs, Washington Post, 25 Aug. 2026
  • The sources firmly rejected the draft declarations, characterizing them as publicity stunts designed to mock the league, sow division, and draw attention to the topic by demeaning others.
    — Wayne Sterling, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of mock
Noun
  • Now the adults are growing up a little bit, and that adds depth to the show but doesn’t sacrifice jokes.
    — Emily Gould, Vulture, 24 Aug. 2026
  • His cutlery’s subtly unusual proportions manage to be elegant and playful at the same time, like that perfect joke that lands gracefully at a cocktail party, where everyone laughs and nobody chortles.
    — Emily Watlington, ARTnews.com, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of joke
Verb
  • But in a case of life imitating art, the show’s entire publicity strategy was inadvertently wrecked by a real-life aristocrat, after reports leaked that Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, was being eyed for a role in the series.
    — K.J. Yossman, Variety, 25 Aug. 2026
  • But from Ossoff, who cuts a more wholesome figure and doesn’t imitate the president, the attacks are more surprising—and therefore perhaps more effective.
    — Elaine Godfrey, The Atlantic, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of imitate
Noun
  • King managed to take the suffocating history of the Indian — the treaties, the massacres, the Hollywood caricatures — and turn it into something conversational, even funny.
    — Tommy Orange, Vulture, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Retailer Target pulled a children’s Halloween costume from its shelves Monday after widespread social media backlash, apologizing for selling a garment critics said evoked racist minstrel caricatures.
    — Nancy Jiang, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of caricature
Verb
  • But not before the former cheerleader caught a pass from Tebow and immediately did a split, drawing cheers from her favorite quarterback.
    — Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Aug. 2026
  • But the band fury is as climactic as anything that could be done continuing to have the full ensemble play… and Dudamel looked happy enough to put his baton down, turn around and just watch the group play for a few minutes.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of do
Noun
  • But investigators now say his story was a sham and that behind closed doors, the assistant fire chief was allegedly living a double life.
    — Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 24 Aug. 2026
  • The set also comes with two matching pillow shams to tie everything together.
    — Toni Sutton, PEOPLE, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of sham

Browse Nearby Words

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travesty
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Cite this Entry

“Travesty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/travesty. Accessed 30 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on travesty

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about travesty

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