noun / verb
travesty
A grotesquely distorted imitation or portrayal of something.
The movie is a travesty of the novel it claims to adapt.
Etymology
The French verb means disguising by altered dress. Literary use applies that disguise to a distorted imitation that misrepresents its subject.
More examples
- The actors turn the solemn ceremony into a comic travesty.
- His account turns our serious discussion into a ridiculous travesty.
- The cartoon travesties the mayor's speeches with nonsense and bluster.
Forms
travesty · travesties · travestied · travestying
Similar words
- parody
- Imitates recognizable features for humor, without necessarily grossly misrepresenting them.
- caricature
- Exaggerates distinctive traits rather than necessarily distorting the whole.
- distortion
- Covers any misleading alteration, not specifically a grotesque imitation.