as in parody
a work that imitates and exaggerates another work for comic effect
it is interesting to note that the first novel ever written in English was followed by a burlesque of it
Synonyms & Similar Words
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as in to parody
to copy or exaggerate (someone or something) in order to make fun of
burlesquing the teacher's nervous tic isn't very nice
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of burlesque
Gloria Casas, Chicago Tribune, 8 May 2025
Whether looking for a morning caffeine fix, a low-key lunch spot, or a night of burlesque and bold cocktails, Bar One Uptown delivers it all — with a local twist.
—Bar One Lounge , Charlotte Observer, 2 Apr. 2025
James Wood, New Yorker, 14 July 2025
That song doesn’t belong in a film that promotes the era’s social fragmentation and repeats fatuous antagonisms — burlesqued by Melissa McCarthy playing the sea world’s villainous white-witch octopus Ursula.
—Armond White, National Review, 26 May 2023
See All Example Sentences for burlesque
Noun
In addition to being a place to drink and do karaoke, Vern’s offered live entertainment, including burlesque shows and drag performances, held sip-and-paint classes and other events, and most recently hosted an adult Easter egg hunt.
—Gloria Casas, Chicago Tribune, 8 May 2025
Whether looking for a morning caffeine fix, a low-key lunch spot, or a night of burlesque and bold cocktails, Bar One Uptown delivers it all — with a local twist.
—Bar One Lounge , Charlotte Observer, 2 Apr. 2025
Verb
That Dyer burlesque—of self-ravelling and unravelling—stretched across a memoir (though the narrative essentially ends at twenty-one) quickly takes on a quality of mock-heroic completism.
—James Wood, New Yorker, 14 July 2025
That song doesn’t belong in a film that promotes the era’s social fragmentation and repeats fatuous antagonisms — burlesqued by Melissa McCarthy playing the sea world’s villainous white-witch octopus Ursula.
—Armond White, National Review, 26 May 2023
See All Example Sentences for burlesque
Recent Examples of Synonyms for burlesque
Noun
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Bud Light plans to run a parody of the series, which gives fans up-close looks at the seasons of top NFL quarterbacks, via social media.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
10 July 2025
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His mask is a stitched thing — lipless, white, eerily smooth yet rugged — a grim parody of life.—
Daphne Woolsoncroft,
People.com,
8 July 2025
Verb
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And of course, that following Sunday, Oliver did indeed mock his corporate bosses for the move.—
Michael Schneider,
Variety,
8 July 2025
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Many wanted Tiger to comment, but others chose to mock Williams.—
Devlina Sarkar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 July 2025
Noun
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One of Ferrell’s biggest and best movies was this hilarious racing spoof, which followed the rise and fall and rise of a smug champion racer, his complicated friendship with best pal and fellow racer John C. Reilly, and his rivalry with an effete, snotty Frenchman played by Sacha Baron Cohen.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
27 June 2025
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Just as impressive is Brooks stepping back into the shoes of Yogurt (his merchandising Yoda spoof), just a year away from his hundredth birthday.—
Josh Weiss,
Forbes.com,
24 June 2025
Verb
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His celebration imitated him sitting down playing a video game – a tribute to his former Portugal teammate Diogo Jota who died in a car crash last week.—
Ben Morse,
CNN Money,
10 July 2025
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And beyond device checks, smart verification systems can also monitor behavioral signals—like typing speed, location, or login habits—to spot anomalies that a cloned voice can’t imitate.—
Sharon Goldman,
Fortune,
10 July 2025
Noun
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Earlier, during his days with Monty Python, Gilliam co-wrote biblical black comedy The Life of Brian, whose themes of religious satire drew accusations of blasphemy and protests.—
Nancy Tartaglione,
Deadline,
7 July 2025
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The logline portends a comedy, possibly a parody, even a satire.—
Robert Lloyd,
Twin Cities,
3 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Burlesque.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/burlesque. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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