Synonyms

satirical

American

[suh-tir-i-kuhl] / səˈtɪr ɪ kəl /

Also satiric

adjective

of, pertaining to, containing, or characterized by satire.

satirical novels.

Synonyms:

acid, biting, mordant, cutting, ironical, sardonic
indulging in or given to satire.

a satirical poet.

satirical British

/ səˈtɪrɪkəl /

adjective

of, relating to, or containing satire
given to the use of satire

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Related Words

See cynical.

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of satirical

First recorded in 1520–30; from Late Latin satiric(us) (from satir(a) satire + -icus -ic ) + -al ¹

Explanation

If you know the movie you are about to see is satirical, you expect it to make fun some aspect of human nature or even our society, like a satirical take on the glamorous world of fashion that portrays all the designers as celebrity-obsessed and unconcerned with true artistry. Satirical is an adjective that describes satire, a work that is intended to ridicule the shortcomings and antics of a person or group. So, something that is satirical often looks like the real thing in order to make fun of it. For example, a sketch on a comedy show in which a comedian sits behind a news anchor desk and uses a serious tone to "report" on absurd events that really happened takes a satirical approach to both the events and the concept of broadcast journalism.

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Satirical news programs like “The Daily Show” and “Last Week Tonight” have highlighted the ups and downs of the presidential election, while garnering laughs and skewering the candidates.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 29, 2024

Satirical comedy series Curb Your Enthusiasm drew to a close on Sunday, with a finale which referred back to highlights from the show's 12 seasons.

From BBC • Apr. 8, 2024

Satirical French newspaper La Bougie du Sapeur only comes out on Feb. 29.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 29, 2024

Satirical news, like that seen on "The Daily Show," offers reporting mixed with commentary and depends on factual accuracy to hit its satirical targets.

From Salon • Sep. 25, 2023

A week before he had bought The Weekly Sunspot, which was "A Satirical Weekly Review of Human Affairs."

From Bones in London by Wallace, Edgar

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023