cartoon 1 of 2

noun

kär-ˈtün How to pronounce cartoon (audio)
Definition of cartoonnext
1
as in sketch
a picture using lines to represent the chief features of an object or scene a political cartoon mocking the state legislature

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in strip
a series of drawings that tell a story or part of a story reading the cartoons in the Sunday newspaper

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in parody
a poor, insincere, or insulting imitation of something in this biopic the life of a complex man is reduced to a cartoon

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

cartoon

2 of 2

verb

as in to caricature

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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 cartoon
Noun
Now their lives are a haunted, claustrophobic cartoon, and Golyak revels in its theatrical opportunities. — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 14 Oct. 2026 In her latest post, one photo features what seems to be a cartoon sketch of the pair, while another shows half of her face reflected in Boyega’s sunglasses. — Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 13 Oct. 2026 Conceived as a relentless bully of Arnold, Helga was one of the richer, more complex characters to come out of a kids’ cartoon in its or any era. — Darryn King, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026 Like the squeezy dumpling, this one has a blushing cartoon face and accompanying tan steamer basket. — Eva Flowe october 6, Charlotte Observer, 6 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cartoon
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cartoon
  1. sketch
  2. strip
  3. parody
  4. caricature
  5. drawing
  6. comic
  7. joke
  8. picture
Noun
  • The couple first rose to internet fame through their popular YouTube channel h3h3Productions, which often featured Ethan and Hila in sketches and vlogs.
    — Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Harrison added that among the treasures in the collection are personal photos that haven’t left the band’s archive in more than 40 years, as well as album sketches and other rare keepsakes.
    — Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of sketch
Noun
  • The operator did not know where the chlorine test strips were located.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The meat ranges from Japanese wagyu to beef cheeks, bone-in New York strip and pork sausage.
    — Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of strip
Noun
  • The joke became the Cockroach Janta Party, a parody of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s BJP, and then a protest movement.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 26 Oct. 2026
  • For those who don't know, GTA VI is set in the fictional Vice City, which is a parody of real-life South Florida.
    — Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of parody
Verb
  • However, the film has a complex legacy because of its prominent use of blackface, the theatrical makeup used to crudely caricature African Americans.
    — Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Sep. 2026
  • In creative, advanced age is omitted or caricatured, reducing relevance before the message has a chance to work.
    — Ray Lansigan, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
Definition of caricature
Noun
  • That isn’t unusual for someone who draws and paints every day — but this latest dirt is real, dug from the ground in Yorkshire and Warwickshire, England, and used as the medium for her drawings of trees and landscapes.
    — Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 24 Oct. 2026
  • While Schwartz retells classic folklore tales with humor and goosebumps in equal measure, Gammell’s powerful drawings nudge children wordlessly toward the ghoulish.
    — Liz Rosenberg, The Conversation, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of drawing
Noun
  • But assessing the audience a comic might draw is still only one way of testing whether something will work on screen.
    — Deputy Entertainment, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026
  • The very creation of the industry was verging on the comic in its breakneck brio.
    — Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of comic
Noun
  • My friend Jackie Kashian was hired to write jokes for standup, for a comedian who didn’t have the time.
    — Ava Kofman, New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2026
  • The whole joke is that Chandler is really bad at posing for photos.
    — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of joke
Verb
  • Pawlikowski is also the director of the 2013 Ida, as well 2018’s Cold War, pictures that, like this one, deftly balance postwar Eastern Bloc realities with the truth that all humans strive for connection and belonging.
    — Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 23 Oct. 2026
  • This was certainly not how Elise, a sophomore at Battle Ground High, pictured her season ending when the school year began.
    — Matt Calkins OutKick, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of picture

Browse Nearby Words

cartons
cartoon
cartooned
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Cite this Entry

“Cartoon.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cartoon. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cartoon

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