satire

[ sat-ahyuhr ]

noun

1. 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.

2. 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?

   Synonyms: travesty, parody, caricature, burlesque

3. a genre of literature, art, or entertainment comprising such works:

   The eighteenth century is considered British literature’s golden age of satire.

   Synonyms: travesty, parody, caricature, burlesque

satire

/ ˈsætaɪə /

noun

1. a novel, play, entertainment, etc, in which topical issues, folly, or evil are held up to scorn by means of ridicule and irony
2. the genre constituted by such works
3. the use of ridicule, irony, etc, to create such an effect

satire

1. 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.

Other Words From

• non·sat·ire noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of satire¹

First recorded in 1500–10; from Latin satira, variant of satura “medley,” perhaps feminine derivative of satur “sated” ( saturate )

Word History and Origins

Origin of satire¹

C16: from Latin satira a mixture, from satur sated, from satis enough

Synonym Study

See irony ¹. Satire, lampoon refer to literary forms in which vices or follies are ridiculed. Satire, the general term, often emphasizes the weakness more than the weak person, and usually implies moral judgment and corrective purpose: Swift's satire of human pettiness and bestiality. Lampoon refers to a form of satire, often political or personal, characterized by the malice or virulence of its attack: lampoons of the leading political figures.

Example Sentences

Over the years, Francis has deepfaked politicians like Boris Johnson and celebrities like Kim Kardashian, all in the name of education and satire.

From MIT Technology Review

There are currently no real guidelines on how to label deepfakes, for example, or where the line falls between satire and misinformation.

From MIT Technology Review

Thus far, most professionalized deepfakes have been based on famous people and made with clear, constructive goals, so they are legally protected in the US under satire laws.

From MIT Technology Review

Good political satire that responds to the tumult of the times is possible.

From Vox

Art does not have to be political satire to help us reckon with the world.

From Vox

And the fact that satire unnerves the intolerant is evidence of its positive power.

From The Daily Beast

The 289-page satire follows Morris Feldstein, a pharmaceutical salesman who gets seduced by a lonely receptionist.

From The Daily Beast

The premise was simple: satire is devastating against tyrants.

From The Daily Beast

We prefer to wave away the warning signs; like The Interview, Mulholland Drive was comfortably downplayed as over-the-top satire.

From The Daily Beast

But now, the controversy surrounding the political satire has gotten serious.

From The Daily Beast

He was judge of the admiralty court of Pennsylvania; his writings abound with wit, humor and satire.

From Project Gutenberg

Other caricatures of the period more justly include ministers in their satire.

From Project Gutenberg

Page after page—full of caustic satire, humorous sally and profound epigram—fairly bristles with merriment.

From Project Gutenberg

As the drink takes effect our parlour customers attempt satire, and their efforts are always of a strongly personal nature.

From Project Gutenberg

The syllogisms were overthrown by their satire, and their arguments evaporated in their vituperation.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• banter
• caricature
• irony
• mockery
• parody
• sarcasm
• skit
• spoof
• wit