PARODY Synonyms: 85 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'parody' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of parody are burlesque , caricature , and travesty . While all these words mean "a comic or grotesque imitation," 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

Q: Where would 'burlesque' be a reasonable alternative to 'parody'?

The words burlesque and parody 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

Q: When is 'caricature' a more appropriate choice than 'parody'?

Although the words caricature and parody have much in common, caricature implies ludicrous exaggeration of the characteristic features of a subject. // caricatures of politicians in cartoons

Q: When could 'travesty' be used to replace 'parody'?

The synonyms travesty and parody are sometimes interchangeable, but travesty implies that the subject remains unchanged but that the style is extravagant or absurd. // this production is a travesty of the opera

parody 1 of 2

noun

ˈper-ə-dē

Definition of parody

as in spoof

a work that imitates and exaggerates another work for comic effect the musical is a parody of every biblical epic ever made

Synonyms & Similar Words

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as in joke

a poor, insincere, or insulting imitation of something the young man sported a feeble parody of a mustache in a vain attempt to make himself look older

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

parody

2 of 2

verb

as in to mock

to copy or exaggerate (someone or something) in order to make fun of parodying a public figure's distinctive mannerisms takes particular talent

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How does the noun parody differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of parody are burlesque, caricature, and travesty. While all these words mean "a comic or grotesque imitation," 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

Where would burlesque be a reasonable alternative to parody?

The words burlesque and parody 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

When is caricature a more appropriate choice than parody?

Although the words caricature and parody have much in common, caricature implies ludicrous exaggeration of the characteristic features of a subject.

caricatures of politicians in cartoons

When could travesty be used to replace parody?

The synonyms travesty and parody are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 parody

Noun

Their outmoded style, with its seriousness and corniness, its big acting choices and low budgets, is basically impossible to recreate without falling into parody. — Alison Willmore, Vulture, 19 June 2026 Yankovic has recorded parodies of songs by Madonna, Michael Jackson, Nirvana, Queen, Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, Eminem and many others. — Sean Clancy, Arkansas Online, 17 June 2026

Verb

Later that year, it was parodied by Will Ferrell on Saturday Night Live and referenced by Jodie Foster in the sci-fi film Contact. — Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 8 June 2026 Probably one of the most meaningful moments for Faris, in a movie that will parody COVID and January 6, was reunited with Hall. — Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 2 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for parody

Recent Examples of Synonyms for parody

Noun

The goofy sketch comedies and homemade spoofs that once filled his channel gradually disappeared, replaced by melancholy short films and bleak monologues.

— Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 27 June 2026
But given the current box office sensations of Obsession and Backrooms, Tiddes certainly wishes the timing had allowed for spoofs of those horror movies.

— Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 17 June 2026

Definition of spoof

Verb

In the weeks leading up to the June 26 release of the film, men mocked 26-year-old Alcock’s appearance across social media.

— Tiffany Kelly, Entertainment Weekly, 30 June 2026
Each sketch was packed with mocking details, such as long red ties, Big Macs and lots and lots of gold, to drive home her point.

— Jan Ellen Spiegel, Hartford Courant, 29 June 2026

Definition of mock

Noun

Beneath its gleeful barrage of kink, karaoke, and absurdist comedy lies a sharp satire of exclusion, identity, and liberation within contemporary Queer culture.

— Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 2 July 2026
After the White House initially defended the post as satire, the video in question was deleted after a backlash including from some Republicans.

— Todd Spangler, Variety, 2 July 2026

Definition of satire

Noun

Olikara, who grew up around Wisconsin’s farmland, bristles at how routinely rural America is flattened into caricature.

— Afdhel Aziz, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
Honestly, Suzie has been a caricature of a demanding boss straight from some sort of rom-com situation, but Paula finally dresses her down here and the scene is delightful.

— Erin Qualey, Vulture, 24 June 2026

Definition of caricature

Verb

Here was a government that had explicitly borrowed from Beijing’s developmental playbook and sincerely attempted to imitate it, but failed.

— Wesley Alexander Hill, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
These are glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists that imitate a natural hormone in the gut.

— Stephanie Stephens, USA Today, 26 June 2026

Definition of imitate

Noun

To this day, his 2019 Aladdin movie still ranks as one of the most rip-roaring live action adaptations of a Disney cartoon while his take on Sherlock Holmes was more of a bare-knuckle bruiser than a debonair detective.

— Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
Yes, the popular Japanese trading card game (cartoons, movies and video franchise) that has made anime characters like Pikachu, Charizard and Geninja nearly as famous as Depay or Lionel Messi.

— Eric Adler June 30, Kansas City Star, 30 June 2026

Definition of cartoon

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parodists

parody

parodying

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“Parody.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/parody. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of parody

noun

verb

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