SATIRE Definition & Meaning

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satire

[sat-ahy^uhr]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

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.
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: , , ,
a genre of literature, art, or entertainment comprising such works.
The eighteenth century is considered British literature’s golden age of satire.
Synonyms: , , ,

satire

/ ˈ��æ�ٲ�ɪə /

noun

a novel, play, entertainment, etc, in which topical issues, folly, or evil are held up to scorn by means of ridicule and irony
the genre constituted by such works
the use of ridicule, irony, etc, to create such an effect

satire

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.

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Other 51�Թ� Forms

nonsatire noun

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51�Թ� 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 )

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of satire¹

C16: from Latin satira a mixture, from satur sated, from satis enough

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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.

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Not everybody has great timing or is funny or gets satire.

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For more than a quarter century, director Kevin Smith has tried to resurrect “Dogma,” his religious satire about two fallen angels looking to get back into heaven.

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“Sunny” doesn’t feel like that to me because it’s a satire and the world’s always providing us with new content.

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This is a comedy, yes, but not a satire: These are just five kids — sorry, adults — who are trying their damnedest, whether at the bank, with a hospital bill or even roasting a chicken.

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Nevertheless, when people have gone beyond inventing new names and used satire and forms of art to ridicule the president, there has been a negative reaction from officials.

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Related 51�Թ�s

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caricature��
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parody��
sarcasm��
skit��
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satiny satirical

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