burlesque 1 of 2

as in parody
a work that imitates and exaggerates another work for comic effect it is interesting to note that the first novel ever written in English was followed by a burlesque of it

Synonyms & Similar Words

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burlesque

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun burlesque differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of burlesque are caricature, parody, and travesty. While all these words mean "a comic or grotesque imitation," burlesque implies mockery especially through giving a serious or lofty subject a frivolous treatment.

a nightclub burlesque of a trial in court

In what contexts can caricature take the place of burlesque?

The words caricature and burlesque are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, caricature implies ludicrous exaggeration of the characteristic features of a subject.

caricatures of politicians in cartoons

When might parody be a better fit than burlesque?

The synonyms parody and burlesque are sometimes interchangeable, 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

When is it sensible to use travesty instead of burlesque?

The meanings of travesty and burlesque largely overlap; however, travesty implies that the subject remains unchanged but that the style is extravagant or absurd.

this production is a travesty of the opera

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 burlesque
Noun
Fight Club is at heart a dry roast of masculinity, a burlesque of the models and habits with which men define and often destroy themselves to avoid emoting or being vulnerable. Stephen Kearse, The Atlantic, 15 Oct. 2024 Other activities include truffle-hunting, bike rides, lavender weaving and burlesque sessions. Kathleen Wong, USA TODAY, 27 Sep. 2024
Verb
That song doesn’t belong in a film that promotes the era’s social fragmentation and repeats fatuous antagonisms — burlesqued by Melissa McCarthy playing the sea world’s villainous white-witch octopus Ursula. Armond White, National Review, 26 May 2023 The seeming callousness with which the dancers burlesque a fourteen-year-old’s death—the breezy way that the dance turns a killing into a sight gag—induces a shiver. Jody Rosen, The New Yorker, 7 Dec. 2022 See all Example Sentences for burlesque 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for burlesque
Noun
  • Keeping the multi-generational hit from reaching No. 1 is a parody song, though one with a very serious meaning.
    Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024
  • Originally slated to run in early 2024, the unscripted reality parody will now debut on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025 at 9 p.m. ET.
    Michael Schneider, Variety, 17 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Quad’s grievances spill over into her relationship with Heavenly, which ties into Heavenly and Quad mocking Sweet Tea on social media.
    Shelby Stewart, Essence, 23 Dec. 2024
  • But the result was an embarrassing 30-7 home loss in which Baker Mayfield mocked the entire Giants organization by doing DeVito’s touchdown symbol aggressively toward the crowd.
    Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 20 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Adams doesn’t have a ton to do in Adam McKay’s hit-or-miss NASCAR spoof, other than one key scene where her long, silky mane and sensual speechifying convince superstar Ricky Bobby (Will Ferrell) to get behind the wheel again.
    Matthew Jacobs, Vulture, 6 Dec. 2024
  • Viewers resistant to a landslide of scatological humor, however, may find the laughs pretty slim in this overlong, uninspired monster spoof.
    Dennis Harvey, Variety, 6 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • By the other hand, he is bound to the Almighty, whom, as the critic John Guillory has observed, Satan imitates.
    Merve Emre, The New Yorker, 16 Dec. 2024
  • The former ended up winning a contest involving the most accurate predictions of the high-diving judges’ scores, and as much as this competition suggests that life is imitating art, Hoult insists that the two did not extend their on-camera dynamic to their off-camera one.
    Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Laid’s generationally specific mix of mystery and social satire recalls Search Party—and one of that show’s stars, John Early, appears here as well, playing himself as a narcissistic nightmare.
    Judy Berman, TIME, 17 Dec. 2024
  • Get the cameras rolling, this is great stuff: The stars and co-creator of the savage reality TV satire UnREAL will reunite at ATX TV Festival for the show’s 10th anniversary.
    Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 17 Dec. 2024

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Cite this Entry

“Burlesque.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/burlesque. Accessed 31 Dec. 2024.

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