satiric
Dryly skewering folly
Satiric describes something that uses humor, irony, or exaggeration to criticize or mock human foolishness, vice, or social institutions.
A satiric novel exposes political corruption through ridicule; a satiric cartoon lampoons public figures.
The word is interchangeable with satirical, though satirical is more common: His satiric wit spared no one.
Harsh public mockery
- caricatureExaggerated comic depiction
- ridiculeContemptuous mocking treatment
- parodySatirical imitation
- mockeryScornful ridicule or travesty
derision · scorn · sneer · jeer · taunt · gibe · scoff · burlesque
Meaning opposite to words
- sarcasmIrony used to mock
- witClever, inventive humor
- banterPlayful, teasing exchange
- wordplayVerbal wit techniques
repartee · quip · wry · droll · dry · tongue-in-cheek · deadpan · sardonic
Harshly critical or cold
- scathingSeverely and bitingly critical
- causticChemically burning; bitterly mocking
- acerbicSharp and biting
- trenchantSharply perceptive and direct
cutting · sharp · piercing · stinging · mordant · vitriolic · harsh · severe
Moving with great speed
- VoltaireFrench Enlightenment satirist
- TwainArchaic word for two
- AristophanesAncient Greek comic dramatist
- fableMoral tale with animals
Orwell · allegory · dystopian · absurdist · black comedy · farce · sitcom · sketch
Explanatory remarks on events
- critiqueDetailed evaluative analysis
- exposeMake known publicly
- polemicAggressive argumentative discourse
- subversiveSeeking to undermine authority
irreverent · iconoclastic · antiestablishment · political · topical · editorial · provocative · seditious
lampoon
Harsh public mockery
- caricatureExaggerated comic depiction
- ridiculeContemptuous mocking treatment
- parodySatirical imitation
mockery · derision · scorn · sneer · jeer · taunt · gibe · scoff · burlesque · travesty
irony
Meaning opposite to words
wordplay · repartee · quip · wry · droll · dry · tongue-in-cheek · deadpan · sardonic · double entendre
biting
Harshly critical or cold
- scathingSeverely and bitingly critical
- causticChemically burning; bitterly mocking
- acerbicSharp and biting
trenchant · cutting · sharp · piercing · stinging · mordant · vitriolic · harsh · severe · unsparing
Swift
Moving with great speed
- VoltaireFrench Enlightenment satirist
- TwainArchaic word for two
- AristophanesAncient Greek comic dramatist
Orwell · fable · allegory · dystopian · absurdist · black comedy · farce · sitcom · sketch · cartoon
commentary
Explanatory remarks on events
- critiqueDetailed evaluative analysis
- exposeMake known publicly
- polemicAggressive argumentative discourse
subversive · irreverent · iconoclastic · antiestablishment · political · topical · editorial · provocative · seditious · dissident
satiricsincere
Genuinely felt, not feigned
earnest · laudatory · eulogistic · complimentary · panegyric
satiricliteral
Meaning exactly what's said
straightforward · direct · earnest · unironic · plain-spoken
- satirical cartoonsHumorous art criticizing society
- political satireMockery of government
- satirical comedyHumor exposing folly
- biting satireHarsh, pointed social mockery
- news satireHumorous mock reporting
- satirical novelFiction mocking through irony
satire, satirical, satirize, satirist, satires, satirizer, satirized, satirizes, satirically