satire

American  

[sat-ahy^uhr] / ˈsæt aɪər /

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 British  

/ 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 Cultural  

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.

---

Related Words

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.

Other Word Forms

• nonsatire
  noun

Etymology

Origin of satire

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

Compare meaning

How does satire compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• satire vs. sarcasm

Explanation

Satire is a way of making fun of people by using silly or exaggerated language. Politicians are easy targets for satire, especially when they're acting self-righteous or hypocritical. Even though the ridiculous language of satire isn't intended to be taken seriously, well-made satire can use mockery to get at more serious truths. Sometimes satire can even overtake reality: when the television sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live presented a mock debate between Al Gore and George W. Bush during the 2000 presidential campaign season, the satire was so dead-on that it influenced the way people thought of the candidates.

Example Sentences

This is so wrong it borders on satire.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 3, 2026

The fourth season of the wealth satire is currently being filmed in the south of France, and will be set during the Cannes Film Festival.

From BBC • Apr. 29, 2026

Caro Claire Burke’s debut novel is a biting influencer satire that feels even more timely with “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives’” Taylor Frankie Paul’s public fall.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 13, 2026

Some have rejected the film as flimsy satire; others have wanted its message to be edgier and more obvious.

From Salon • Apr. 9, 2026

Unfortunately, it’s only a legend; the recursive title was dreamed up by the linguist Robin Lakoff for a satire of a linguistics journal.

From "The Sense of Style" by Steven Pinker

Related Words

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