satire
the use of irony, sarcasm, ridicule, or the like, to expose, denounce, or deride the folly or corruption of institutions, people, or social structures:The success of the production stems from its balance of affectionate comedy and well-observed satire.
a work of art, literature, or entertainment in which the folly and corruption of human beings, institutions, or social structures are exposed, denounced, or ridiculed:The skit offended only those who didn’t recognize it as a political satire. Did you notice that all the novels on her bookshelf were satires?
a genre of literature, art, or entertainment comprising such works:The eighteenth century is considered British literature’s golden age of satire.
Origin of satire
1synonym study For satire
Other words for satire
Other words from satire
- non·sat·ire, noun
Words that may be confused with satire
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use satire in a sentence
The Stepford Wives is one of the earliest, and canniest satires of the Disneyfication of American culture.
American Dreams: ‘The Stepford Wives’ by Ira Levin | Nathaniel Rich | August 24, 2012 | THE DAILY BEASTOne of the sharpest satires in the MoMA show is “ A Brief Taped Interview with Spike Jonze,” from 1996.
In this video, he talks about his political satires Thank You for Smoking and Supreme Courtship.
Christopher Buckley on Thank You for Smoking and Supreme Courtship | Daily Beast Promotions | April 27, 2009 | THE DAILY BEASTYou lived in the White House from age three to 15, and you were in so many press photos and satires.
There are odes, lyrics, satires, songs; many very beautiful and feeling; all noble and earnest.
The Poems of Giacomo Leopardi | Giacomo Leopardi
Tucker showed his versatility by writing drama and political satires as well as poetry.
Hallowed Heritage: The Life of Virginia | Dorothy M. TorpeyHis satires are also admirable, but without the fierce vehemence and lofty indignation that characterized those of Juvenal.
Beacon Lights of History, Volume I | John LordSome are pure comedies, others gentle satires on women's faults and foibles.
Fifty Contemporary One-Act Plays | VariousThe singing of these princely satires did not add to the harmony of the camp.
With Spurs of Gold | Frances Nimmo Greene
British Dictionary definitions for satire
/ (ˈsætaɪə) /
a novel, play, entertainment, etc, in which topical issues, folly, or evil are held up to scorn by means of ridicule and irony
the genre constituted by such works
the use of ridicule, irony, etc, to create such an effect
Origin of satire
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Cultural definitions for satire
A work of literature that mocks social conventions, another work of art, or anything its author thinks ridiculous. Gulliver's Travels, by Jonathan Swift, is a satire of eighteenth-century British society.
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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