noun

satire

SAT-eye-er/ˈsætaɪər/

Humor or irony used to expose foolishness or wrongdoing.

The pothole ceremony becomes satire through its absurdly misplaced civic priorities.

Humorous editorial vignette: self-important official ceremonially cuts huge ribbon around a tiny repaired pothole while larger potholes remain beside it, exposing misplaced civic priorities.

Etymology

Latin satura evoked a dish filled with varied ingredients, then a collection of poems on varied subjects. Its literary meaning narrowed toward poems attacking vices, leading to the modern sense of criticism through ridicule.

In context

Vox6:08

What makes satire such a powerful antidote to Trumpism, Isn't that it's funny.

Comedians have figured out the trick to covering Trump

More examples

Her political satires make corrupt officials look ridiculous.
The cartoon uses gentle satire to question our obsession with shopping.
Some readers mistake the newspaper's satire for serious reporting.

Forms

satire · satires

satirical adjective — Using humor to expose foolishness or wrongdoing.

satirist noun — Someone who creates satire to criticize faults.

Similar words

parody: Imitates a recognizable style humorously, without necessarily exposing wrongdoing.
ridicule: Mocks directly and need not expose broader social problems.
sarcasm: Uses cutting remarks rather than sustained humorous criticism.