satire

Meaning

1. (uncountable) A literary device of writing or art which principally ridicules its subject often as an intended means of provoking or preventing change or highlighting a shortcoming in the work of another. Imitation, humor, irony, and exaggeration are often used to aid this.
2. (countable) A satirical work.
3. (dated, uncountable) Severity of remark.

Synonyms

irony

sarcasm

lampoon

farce

ridicule

comedy

parody

burlesque

caricature

cynicism

mockery

pasquinade

satirize

skit

squib

caustic remark

laughableness

libel

mock

be ironic

pamphlet

derision

travesty

pleasantry

contempt

ridiculousness

cartoon

travestry

scoffing

be sarcastic

sneer

spoof

innuendo

insult

humor

jeer

jeering

fun

Translations

satire

Satire

satira

sátira

sátira

σάτιρα

sàtira

satura

satire

hiciv

yergi

sarcasme

Sarkasmus

hekeldicht

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈsætaɪɹ/

Etymology

From Middle French satire, from Old French, from Latin satira, from earlier satura, from lanx satura (“full dish”), from feminine of satur. Altered in Latin by influence of Ancient Greek σάτυρος (sáturos, “satyr”), on the mistaken notion that the form is related to the Greek σατυρικὸν δράμα (saturikòn dráma, “satyr drama”).