Caricature — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ˈker-i-kə-ˌchu̇r/ car·i·ca·ture

Meaning & Definition of Caricature

Caricature (noun)

  1. exaggeration by means of often ludicrous distortion of parts or characteristics
  2. a representation especially in literature or art that has the qualities of caricature
  3. a distortion so gross as to seem like caricature

Caricature (verb)

  1. to make or draw a caricature of, represent in caricature

Caricature (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a poor, insincere, or insulting imitation of something

    "that TV network's reporting is a mere caricature of real journalism"

    similar: cartoon, farce, joke, mockery, parody, sham, travesty
    related: burlesque, comedy, lampoon, takeoff, counterfeit, fake, feigning, forgery, hoax, humbug, knockoff, phony, pretense, simulation
    near: homage, tribute

  2. a work that imitates and exaggerates another work for comic effect

    "the artist creates caricatures of famous paintings by replacing humans with cats"

    similar: burlesque, parody, put-on, rib, send-up, spoof, takeoff, travesty
    related: lampoon, mockery, satire, comedy, farce, humor, sketch, slapstick, squib, distortion, exaggeration, imitation, impersonation, mimicking

  3. the representation of something in terms that go beyond the facts

    "the mayor has presented only a caricature of his opponent's views"

    similar: coloring, elaboration, embellishment, embroidering, embroidery, exaggeration, hyperbole, magnification, overstatement, padding, stretching
    related: amplification, enhancement, fabrication, misrepresentation, fudging, hedging, hype, puffery, superlative
    opposite: meiosis, understatement
    near: belittlement, disparagement, minimizing, poor-mouthing

Caricature (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to copy or exaggerate (someone or something) in order to make fun of

    "caricatured the supervisor's distinctive walk"

    similar: burlesque, do, imitate, mimic, mock, parody, send up, spoof, travesty
    related: lampoon, pasquinade, satirize, deride, gibe, ridicule, ape, copycat, monkey, parrot, duplicate, emulate, replicate, reproduce, act, counterfeit, dissemble, fake, feign, pretend, sham, simulate, elaborate, embellish, embroider, exaggerate, magnify, pad, play up, stretch, amplify, enhance, enlarge (on or upon), expand, flesh (out), overdraw, overstate, put on, mime, pantomime, impersonate, perform, personate, play

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Caricature

The most common words with a similar meaning to Caricature:

cartoon, farce, joke, mockery, parody, sham, travesty, burlesque, put-on, rib, send-up, spoof, takeoff, coloring, elaboration, embellishment, embroidering, embroidery, exaggeration, hyperbole, magnification, overstatement, padding, stretching, do, imitate, mimic, mock, send up

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Caricature

Words with the opposite meaning of Caricature:

meiosis, understatement

Related Words for Caricature

comedy, lampoon, counterfeit, fake, feigning, forgery, hoax, humbug, knockoff, phony, pretense, simulation, satire, humor, sketch, slapstick, squib, distortion, imitation, impersonation, mimicking, amplification, enhancement, fabrication, misrepresentation, fudging, hedging, hype, puffery, superlative

Near Antonyms of Caricature

homage, tribute, belittlement, disparagement, minimizing, poor-mouthing

Word Forms of Caricature

Inflections: caricatured, caricaturing

Derived words: caricatural (adjective), caricaturist (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Caricature

Italian caricatura, literally, act of loading, from caricare to load, from Late Latin carricare

First known use: 1712

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Caricature

Words & Phrases Containing Caricature

self-caricature

Frequently Asked Questions about Caricature

What does "Caricature" mean?

"Caricature" means exaggeration by means of often ludicrous distortion of parts or characteristics. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: exaggeration by means of often ludicrous distortion of parts or characteristics. It has 4 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Caricature"?

Other words for "Caricature" include cartoon, farce, joke, mockery, parody, sham, travesty and burlesque. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Caricature" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Caricature"?

There are 99 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Caricature". Common alternatives include cartoon, farce, joke, mockery, parody, sham, travesty, burlesque, put-on and rib.

What is the opposite of "Caricature"?

Antonyms of "Caricature" include meiosis and understatement. Near antonyms include homage, tribute, belittlement and disparagement.

How do you use "Caricature" in a sentence?

Examples of "Caricature" in a sentence: "that TV network's reporting is a mere caricature of real journalism"; "the artist creates caricatures of famous paintings by replacing humans with cats"; "the mayor has presented only a caricature of his opponent's views".

Is "Caricature" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Caricature" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

Is "Caricature" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C2-level word, "Caricature" is typical of Cambridge C2 Proficiency (CPE), IELTS band 8.5–9.0, TOEFL iBT 114–120, PTE Academic 85–90. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Caricature"?

"Caricature" is pronounced /ˈker-i-kə-ˌchu̇r/ and divided into syllables as car·i·ca·ture.