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
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
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Recent Examples of travesty
Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 21 Feb. 2026
And that’s a travesty of American history, as even the briefest review of his record will attest.
—Michael Peregrine, Chicago Tribune, 16 Feb. 2026
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
Noun
The midterms will give the American voter the opportunity to end this travesty of justice.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 21 Feb. 2026
And that’s a travesty of American history, as even the briefest review of his record will attest.
—Michael Peregrine, Chicago Tribune, 16 Feb. 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
Noun
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The musical — a rock-and-raunch, goth-and-gay parody of cheesy, mid-century horror/sci-fi flicks — was created by Richard O’Brien (book, music, lyrics and who performed as the snarling butler Riff Raff).—
Frank Rizzo,
Variety,
24 Apr. 2026
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The new plan does not change the Onion’s mission, which is to turn the site into a parody of itself and sell merchandise, sharing profits with Sandy Hook families.—
Theresa Braine,
New York Daily News,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Nearly 40 years after Spaceballs first hit theaters in 1987, Mel Brooks' Star Wars spoof is gearing up for another ride.—
Maddie Garfinkle,
PEOPLE,
16 Apr. 2026
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In the timely space spoof, the four Artemis 2 astronauts, portrayed by Colman Domingo, Mikey Day, Marcello Hernández, and Sarah Sherman offer an update on their moon mission at Day 9.—
Jeff Spry,
Space.com,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The two men embraced and spoke after Ross’ performance — a scene Hart mocked by implying Ross was kissing up to the GOAT.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Apr. 2026
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In the sketch, Sherman wore oversized fake teeth and mocked Wood’s Manchester accent in a line about removing fluoride from water and eating monkeys.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
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As the Ado Annie-like Betsy, a horny teen-ager whose father owns a shotgun, Kurtz is playing a character who should be, and kind of is, a one-joke punch line.—
Emily Nussbaum,
New Yorker,
30 Apr. 2026
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Complaints about hospital food are certainly not new, and Jell-O and fruit juice are often the butt of related jokes.—
Stephanie Armour,
CBS News,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Another potential treatment route the study opens up is using machines to massage cancer cells, imitating the rhythmic beating of the heart.—
Anil Oza,
STAT,
23 Apr. 2026
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While using Rallee, students might jump in place to help their avatar clear an obstacle or imitate their avatar by stretching their arms wide while taking a deep breath.—
Mary Jean Tecce DeCarlo,
The Conversation,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
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In another gallery, Joe Overstreet’s The New Jemima reimagines a racist caricature as a bold, satirical portrait of power, its bright colors dominating the quiet space.—
Carrie Honaker,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
23 Apr. 2026
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The other women in the friends’ lives — primarily their mothers — don’t fare much better and are reduced to near-caricatures.—
Frank Rizzo,
Variety,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The governor’s comments underscored the limited power of the commission, which could not issue subpoenas, file charges or compel anyone to do anything.—
Olivia Olander,
Chicago Tribune,
1 May 2026
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The New York Knicks emphatically did so with a scoreline that should be reserved for horror movies.—
Dan Santaromita,
New York Times,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
Use the matching shams with the same color as the quilt facing out for a cohesive design, or mix and match the shams and quilt for a layered look with dimension.—
Caley Sturgill,
Better Homes & Gardens,
29 Apr. 2026
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Etched with a cheery blue bouquet pattern on a soft yellow background, the comforter and matching shams give any room a spring makeover.—
Tanya Sharma,
PEOPLE,
26 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Travesty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/travesty. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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