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

Libel and slander are not protected speech, but satire most certainly is.

From Salon

Such chaos is bad for democracy, but it does inspire wickedly funny memes, hashtags, sketches and political satire.

From Los Angeles Times

Terhune’s irony and satire can be so sly that some people don’t get the joke, thinking that Alpha Male is not an act but the comic’s true self.

From Los Angeles Times

South Park has always worked on multiple levels - offering outrageous forbidden shock value for schoolchildren while delivering crunching adult satire.

From BBC

Some will take issue with that since “The Daily Show” host grounds his satire in fact and, frankly, it's easier to be one of his fans.

From Salon

Related Words

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