travesty 1 of 2

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

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

Examples 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
Tech accessories are no longer a fashion travesty—thanks to LaQuan Smith and Samsung. Robyn Merrett, StyleCaster, 11 Sep. 2024 This is an abject travesty, since the blatherskite Biden and the sycophantic cabal of fellow Democrats, the lamestream media, Hollywood elites, academia, Big Tech, etc. are the ones who have driven the political temperature to the boiling point. Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 16 July 2024
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
Noun
  • By combining the monikers of two government agencies, the FBI: CIA title may inspire some sendups in the vein of Adult Swim’s crime procedural parody NTSF:SD:SUV::.
    Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 22 Jan. 2025
  • Could one match the popularity of the parody of the Brooks & Dunn song?
    Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 16 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • For Sony Repertory — studio executive Jeff Blake, who had hired him at Paramount, brought him there — Schlesinger was a vp who oversaw a 70mm restoration of Lawrence of Arabia (1962) and the release of the B-movie spoof The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra (1981).
    Mike Barnes, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Jan. 2025
  • Neumayer detected the spoof by checking the headers and IDing the tool used.
    Ashley Belanger, Ars Technica, 27 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Shelton specifically referenced the incident where Tony Jones of Channel 9 mocked Novak Djokovic and his fans on air, causing Djokovic to skip a post-match interview with Jim Courier.
    Adam Zagoria, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025
  • They were also nominated for worst screen combo, another blow for the movie that Golden Globes host Nikki Glaser ruthlessly mocked in her monologue earlier this month.
    Brendan Morrow, USA TODAY, 22 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • These shows are led by a cast of improv comedians, leading into the various personalities’ wit and humor over scripted jokes.
    Sara Belcher, People.com, 24 Jan. 2025
  • To the show’s credit, Kitty was given a voice—but the joke was on her, as people failed to listen.
    Jennifer Vineyard, Flow Space, 24 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • But in non-biotech emerging industries, many billion-dollar entrepreneurs imitated the product but improved on the strategy.
    Dileep Rao, Forbes, 20 Jan. 2025
  • This Is Us star Milo Ventimiglia visits remains of his home lost in L.A. fire: 'Life imitating art' Garner indicated that her residence is still standing but that countless friends have lost their houses over the past week.
    Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 11 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Trump tells his supporters that the left views them with contempt, and progressives don’t do enough to challenge that caricature.
    John Blake, CNN, 19 Jan. 2025
  • Amid this success, cards and custom prints from the shop — including T-shirts featuring a caricature of Hatch — have become bestsellers locally and online.
    Jennah Pendleton, Sacramento Bee, 17 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • So what exactly has Trump and his administration done around immigration?
    Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2025
  • So, if customers won’t directly tell brands what’s wrong, what can those brands do to remedy the situation?
    Tom Lewis, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Thankfully, the courts have seen through these shams, and in eighteen days, the jig will finally be up.
    Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2025
  • The president – former President Trump's nominee for Defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, has called this issue of extremism in the military a sham, suggesting that perhaps some of the efforts to end – to combat extremism are going to end.
    ABC News, ABC News, 5 Jan. 2025

Podcast

Thesaurus Entries Near travesty

Cite this Entry

“Travesty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/travesty. Accessed 29 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on travesty

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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