travesty
Americannoun
plural
travesties-
a grotesque or debased likeness or imitation.
a travesty of justice.
- Synonyms:
- distortion, sham, perversion, mockery
-
a literary or artistic burlesque of a serious work or subject, characterized by grotesque or ludicrous incongruity of style, treatment, or subject matter.
-
a literary or artistic composition so inferior in quality as to be merely a grotesque imitation of its model.
verb (used with object)
-
to make a travesty on; turn (a serious work or subject) to ridicule by burlesquing.
-
to imitate grotesquely or absurdly.
noun
verb
Usage
What does travesty mean? A travesty is something that imitates something else but in a gross or ridiculous manner. A travesty is also a literary or other artistic work that is a grotesque example of the art form it models. To travesty means to imitate absurdly or to parody a serious artwork. Example: The movie was an absolute travesty of the events that actually took place.
Related Words
See burlesque.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of travesty
1655–65; < French travesti, past participle of travestir “to disguise” < Italian travestire, equivalent to tra- (< Latin trāns- trans- ) + vestire “to clothe” < Latin vestīre; see vest
Explanation
A travesty is a cheap mockery, usually of something or someone serious, such as a travesty of justice. In literature, a travesty is a work that humorously and crudely imitates another work or style. But you can also use this word to describe anything that seems to mock, distort, or poorly imitate something else. A travesty of justice, for example, is a court case that makes a mockery of the judicial system — or so you might think, if the verdict isn't in your favor. Travesty comes from the French travesti, meaning "dressed in disguise."
Vocabulary lists containing travesty
300 Most Difficult "SAT" Words
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Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
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President Trump's Second State of the Union Address (2019)
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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.
He was detained for a year, as his attorneys and family were hesitant to post bail, fearing Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention or deportation, a travesty already enough for one misstep.
From Slate • Mar. 19, 2026
Anwar said it would be a "travesty of justice" and a betrayal of Emma Caldwell if Police Scotland were excluded from the investigation.
From BBC • Feb. 2, 2026
To let the moment pass without taking action would be a travesty.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 28, 2025
It was indeed a travesty that the two-loss Irish, winners of their last 10 games by double digits, did not get a spot in the national tournament.
From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 22, 2025
Adina looked to Taylor to end this travesty, but Taylor was trying to keep the signal fire going.
From "Beauty Queens" by Libba Bray
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
