caricature

[kar-i-kuh-cher, -choor]

noun

1. a picture, description, etc., ludicrously exaggerating the peculiarities or defects of persons or things.

   His caricature of the mayor in this morning's paper is the best he's ever drawn.

   Synonyms: cartoon

2. the art or process of producing such pictures, descriptions, etc.

3. any imitation or copy so distorted or inferior as to be ludicrous.

   Synonyms: travesty

verb (used with object)

caricatured, caricaturing 

1. to make a caricature of; represent in caricature.

caricature

/ ˈkærɪkəˌtjʊə /

noun

1. a pictorial, written, or acted representation of a person, which exaggerates his characteristic traits for comic effect

2. a ludicrously inadequate or inaccurate imitation

   he is a caricature of a statesman

verb

1. (tr) to represent in caricature or produce a caricature of

caricature

1. In art or literature, portrayal of an individual or thing that exaggerates and distorts prominent characteristics so as to make them appear ridiculous. Caricature is commonly a medium for satire.

Other Word Forms

• caricaturable adjective
• caricatural adjective
• caricaturist noun
• self-caricature noun
• semicaricatural adjective
• uncaricatured adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of caricature¹

1740–50; earlier caricatura < Italian, equivalent to caricat(o) loaded, i.e., distorted (past participle of caricare; charge ) + -ura -ure

Word History and Origins

Origin of caricature¹

C18: from Italian caricatura a distortion, exaggeration, from caricare to load, exaggerate; see _cargo

Synonym Study

See burlesque.

Example Sentences

The weekly Russian satire known as “Kukly” — or “Puppets,” in English — lampooned Russian leaders by rendering them as giant latex caricatures.

From Salon

Beyond the caricature, Bordalas' methods are rooted in structure and detail.

From BBC

In 2019 the New York Times announced it would no longer publish political cartoons after apologizing for an antisemitic caricature of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

From Los Angeles Times

Colbert has hosted the show for 10 years, taking over from Letterman after hosting Comedy Central’s news satire “The Colbert Report” for nine years, where he played a caricature of a political pundit.

From Los Angeles Times

He turned that election into a referendum on wokeness, in its most caricatured form, and an assertion of white, Christian, male-centric pride.

From Salon

Related Words

• cartoon 
• farce 
• parody 
• satire