car·i·ca·ture
ˈker-i-kə-ˌchu̇r 
-ˌchər,
-ˌtyu̇r,
-ˌtu̇r,
ˈka-ri-
1
: exaggeration by means of often ludicrous distortion of parts or characteristics
drew a caricature of the president
2
: a representation especially in literature or art that has the qualities of caricature
His performance in the film was a caricature of a hard-boiled detective.
3
: a distortion so gross as to seem like caricature
The kangaroo court was a caricature of justice.
caricatured; caricaturing
: to make or draw a caricature of : represent in caricature
the portrait caricatured its subject
The comedian caricatured the governor as a pompous know-it-all.
Synonyms
Examples of caricature in a Sentence
Noun
An artist was doing caricatures in the park.
His performance in the film was a caricature of a hard-boiled detective.
The interview made her into a caricature of a struggling artist.
Verb
The press caricatured him as clumsy and forgetful.
caricatured the supervisor's distinctive walk
Recent Examples on the Web
Brendan Morrow, USA TODAY, 3 Nov. 2024
The Dog Day Afternoon–esque topical thriller makes every point loudly, and Clooney never brings much depth or surprise to this caricature.
—Will Leitch, Vulture, 29 Sep. 2024
Sarah Jones, Vulture, 15 July 2024
As is human nature, the two sides caricature each other and try to demonize each other.
—Caroline Mimbs Nyce, The Atlantic, 21 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for caricature 
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Noun
The Kaine sketch came on the same episode that opened with a surprise cameo by Harris, who appeared opposite Maya Rudolph's caricature of her to give herself advice.
—Brendan Morrow, USA TODAY, 3 Nov. 2024
The Dog Day Afternoon–esque topical thriller makes every point loudly, and Clooney never brings much depth or surprise to this caricature.
—Will Leitch, Vulture, 29 Sep. 2024
Verb
Elegy thus belongs to an old and ignoble genre, one which caricatures the hillbilly for an audience’s titillation.
—Sarah Jones, Vulture, 15 July 2024
As is human nature, the two sides caricature each other and try to demonize each other.
—Caroline Mimbs Nyce, The Atlantic, 21 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for caricature
Dictionary Entries Near caricature
Cite this Entry
“Caricature.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/caricature. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
caricature
1 of 2 noun
car·i·ca·ture
ˈkar-i-kə-ˌchu̇(ə)r
-ˌt(y)u̇(ə)r
1
: exaggeration of the actions, parts, or features of someone or something usually for comic or satirical effect
2
: something (as a drawing) produced by using caricature
3
: something that seems like a caricature
caricature
2 of 2 verb
caricatured; caricaturing
: to make or draw a caricature of
caricaturist
noun
-ˌchu̇r-əst
-ˌt(y)u̇r-əst
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