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

Relevance

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
The first rooms of MoMA’s Marcel Duchamp retrospective almost dare the visitor to find in his early paintings some hint of the artist’s future travesty of those mediums. — Ara H. Merjian, ARTnews.com, 5 June 2026 In fact, several watch insiders took to Instagram to voice their disgust at the collab, calling it a travesty to actual owners of a real Royal Oak. — Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 12 May 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
  • The Black performer remains the template of the parody, a canvas to characterize and deform in whatever way the meme-maker sees fit.
    — Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Did that feel like a parody of my ego, or also a way to make fun of it?
    — Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of parody
Noun
  • Was there ever a thought that maybe the whole movie should just be a ’90s spoof?
    — Mike Ryan, IndieWire, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Blanchett cofounded the nonprofit Human Consent Foundation to help people register how AI models can — or cannot — scrape their likenesses in an effort to combat such spoofs.
    — Corbin Bolies, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of spoof
Verb
  • Critics mocked Zacharia’s performance during her first and last press conference on Tuesday, and ripped her for describing herself as an attorney, despite having never passed the bar exam.
    — Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The Difference Between Names And Dynamics Richard Feynman recalled being mocked by another child for not knowing a bird’s name.
    — Pravir Malik, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of mock
Noun
  • Its frothy, pastel hues and single moment of contrived levity (when one dance claims a trumpet solo for a joke about jamming her toe) is one of those quintessential examples of Balanchine’s repertoire showing its age.
    — Lauren Warnecke, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026
  • And the Longhorns’ quarterback, Arch Manning, was the butt of the joke.
    — Noah White, Miami Herald, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of joke
Verb
  • The museum brought a tremendous wow factor that cities around the world were soon clamoring to imitate.
    — Robb Report, Robb Report, 9 Oct. 2026
  • OpenAI denied intentionally imitating Johansson’s voice and later withdrew the feature.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of imitate
Noun
  • Conversations around racial caricature have evolved; what was edgy feels painfully passé.
    — Eugenie Brinkema, ARTnews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
  • As is the case with most election cycles, the claims and counterclaims about the ballot measures being voted on in California this time around are largely based on caricatures of the measures themselves.
    — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of caricature
Verb
  • PhotoTat can have additional practical applications, including for medical tattoos like those done on cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy.
    — Devika Rao, TheWeek, 19 Oct. 2026
  • OpenAI has reportedly floated the idea of giving the government up to a 5% stake in the company and suggested other leading AI companies do the same.
    — Sarah Cannon, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of do
Noun
  • These sheets and shams are made from Oexo-Tex Certified Organic microfiber material that’s light but surprisingly resilient.
    — Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Plus, the set comes with two shams to complete your sanctuary.
    — Shea Simmons, Southern Living, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of sham

Browse Nearby Words

travesties
travesty
travestying
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Travesty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/travesty. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on travesty

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about travesty

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Can' vs. 'May'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
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
artwork of illustrated limes with the text limes and smile with an arrow connecting the two words
Quiz: Spot the Anagram! Scramble these words to find new words with the e...
See All