Satire
noun
A way of criticizing people or ideas in a humorous way, especially in order to make a political point.
His novel uses bitter satire to attack the government.
Often appears as...
- political satire
- satirical humor
Usage tips
Literary
noun
A piece of writing, drawing, etc. in which humor and mockery are used to say something about a person, government, etc.
His columns are often a satire on the politics of our times.
Often appears as...
- satire piece
- satire writing
noun
A way of criticizing people or ideas in a humorous way, especially in order to make a political point.
His novel uses bitter satire to attack the government.
Often appears as...
- political satire
- satirical humor
Usage tips
Literary
noun
A piece of writing, drawing, etc. in which humor and mockery are used to say something about a person, government, etc.
His columns are often a satire on the politics of our times.
Often appears as...
- satire piece
- satire writing
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Humor with Purpose
Satire is humorous but aims to highlight flaws or issues, often encouraging thought or change.
The play's satire made the audience laugh, but also think about the social issues presented.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Just Funny
Understanding satire needs recognizing it's not just for laughter but also for critique or protest.
The comedian's satire was not just a comedy act; it was a powerful commentary on politics.
Pro Tip 3/3Cultural References
Satire often includes cultural or political references that target audiences will recognize.
The movie's satire cleverly referenced current political scandals, resonating with viewers.
Pro Tip 1/3Humor with Purpose
Satire is humorous but aims to highlight flaws or issues, often encouraging thought or change.
The play's satire made the audience laugh, but also think about the social issues presented.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Just Funny
Understanding satire needs recognizing it's not just for laughter but also for critique or protest.
The comedian's satire was not just a comedy act; it was a powerful commentary on politics.
Pro Tip 3/3Cultural References
Satire often includes cultural or political references that target audiences will recognize.
The movie's satire cleverly referenced current political scandals, resonating with viewers.
Pro Tip 1/3Humor with Purpose
Satire is humorous but aims to highlight flaws or issues, often encouraging thought or change.
The play's satire made the audience laugh, but also think about the social issues presented.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Just Funny
Understanding satire needs recognizing it's not just for laughter but also for critique or protest.
The comedian's satire was not just a comedy act; it was a powerful commentary on politics.
Pro Tip 3/3Cultural References
Satire often includes cultural or political references that target audiences will recognize.
The movie's satire cleverly referenced current political scandals, resonating with viewers.
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Video examples
The psychological traits...
with liberals more likely than conservatives to appreciate things like abstract art or even stories that lack a clear ending. In my experimental work, I've also found that these differences help explain why ironic, political satire is more likely to be appreciated
Video examples
Why should you read...
The novel was a bleak satire of a classic island adventure story, a popular genre where young boys get shipwrecked in exotic locations. The protagonists in these stories are able to master nature while evading the dangers posed by their new environments.
Video examples
The wicked wit of Jane...
trading letters with their delightfully wicked friend Jane. But this unique brand of tongue-in-cheek humor is just one of the many feats found in her sly satires of society, civility, and sweeping romance. Written in the early nineteenth century,
Video examples
This Clown Philosopher...
greatest pantomime clowns ever how the clowns get involved in the circuit well now we got to go to France where Napoleon I was a social commentary and satire on the one place he didn't do it with in the circus so English pantomime
Video examples
Chris Bliss: Comedy is...
in terms of our own self-interest, we finally begin to grasp our ability to respond, our responsibility to the rest of the world. Now as to what I mean by the best comedy and satire, I mean work that comes first and foremost
Video examples
Why is Aristophanes...
his fingerprints are visible upon comic techniques everywhere, from slapstick to double acts to impersonations to political satire. Through the praise of free speech and the celebration of ordinary heroes,
Video examples
How deepfakes undermine...
and it's expensive. But we need human beings to look at the content and context of a deepfake to figure out if it is a harmful impersonation or instead, if it's valuable satire, art or education.
Video examples
A free world needs...
of our time. Showing that the emperors have no clothes, that's the task of satire, right? Speaking truth to power. This has always been the historical role of political cartooning.
Video examples
The rise and fall of the...
The bards sang of the brave deeds of their ancestors and praised the accomplishments of warrior kings— and composed biting satires about cowardly or selfish leaders.
Video examples
Dear Aunt Bonnie, I’m...
gentle satire can you stand it um okay I have my aunt Bonnie lives in Seattle Washington and she spent like thirty five years as an inner-city low-income
Video examples
The psychological traits...
with liberals more likely than conservatives to appreciate things like abstract art or even stories that lack a clear ending. In my experimental work, I've also found that these differences help explain why ironic, political satire is more likely to be appreciated
Video examples
Why should you read...
The novel was a bleak satire of a classic island adventure story, a popular genre where young boys get shipwrecked in exotic locations. The protagonists in these stories are able to master nature while evading the dangers posed by their new environments.
Video examples
The wicked wit of Jane...
trading letters with their delightfully wicked friend Jane. But this unique brand of tongue-in-cheek humor is just one of the many feats found in her sly satires of society, civility, and sweeping romance. Written in the early nineteenth century,
Video examples
This Clown Philosopher...
greatest pantomime clowns ever how the clowns get involved in the circuit well now we got to go to France where Napoleon I was a social commentary and satire on the one place he didn't do it with in the circus so English pantomime
Video examples
Chris Bliss: Comedy is...
in terms of our own self-interest, we finally begin to grasp our ability to respond, our responsibility to the rest of the world. Now as to what I mean by the best comedy and satire, I mean work that comes first and foremost
Video examples
Why is Aristophanes...
his fingerprints are visible upon comic techniques everywhere, from slapstick to double acts to impersonations to political satire. Through the praise of free speech and the celebration of ordinary heroes,
Video examples
How deepfakes undermine...
and it's expensive. But we need human beings to look at the content and context of a deepfake to figure out if it is a harmful impersonation or instead, if it's valuable satire, art or education.
Video examples
A free world needs...
of our time. Showing that the emperors have no clothes, that's the task of satire, right? Speaking truth to power. This has always been the historical role of political cartooning.
Video examples
The rise and fall of the...
The bards sang of the brave deeds of their ancestors and praised the accomplishments of warrior kings— and composed biting satires about cowardly or selfish leaders.
Video examples
Dear Aunt Bonnie, I’m...
gentle satire can you stand it um okay I have my aunt Bonnie lives in Seattle Washington and she spent like thirty five years as an inner-city low-income
Example 1 of 10
Quote examples
Mike Judge
American Producer
It seems like there's a lot of people who just do not understand satire. They think it's weird. There's people who just don't understand you portray something or just explore a character, it means you're condoning it, saying this is the way to live.
Quote examples
Paul G. Tremblay
American Author
Crime, horror, and satire each aim to reveal an ugly or uncomfortable truth: one that, after the reveal, will ensure we'll never be the same. The big difference between those genres being the effect they create.
Quote examples
T. J. Miller
American Actor
By the very nature of satire or parody, you have to love and respect your target and respect it enough to understand every aspect of it, so you can more effectively make fun of it.
Quote examples
Isaac Hayes
American Musician
There is a place in this world for satire, but there is a time when satire ends and intolerance and bigotry towards religious beliefs of others begins.
Quote examples
Adolph Green
American Playwright
We've managed to keep a spirit of fun, I guess, of urban satire and finding new and odd interesting angles to the ways of life to put on the stage.
Quote examples
Kevin Kline
American Actor
When you have satire, it has to be real. No matter how outrageous the comedy becomes, you have to believe in the characters.
Quote examples
Stephen Gaghan
American Director
Life serves up satire. Unfortunately. Or fortunately. I don't know. You have to reel it in to drama.
Quote examples
Shoojit Sircar
Indian Director
Gulabo Sitabo' is a simple satire on life. It's a genre I have tried for the first time.
Quote examples
Laura Benanti
American Actress
I feel like comedy is important, and I think political satire can be really important.
Quote examples
John Oliver
British Comedian
It's a great time to be doing political satire when the world is on a knife edge.
Quote examples
Mike Judge
American Producer
It seems like there's a lot of people who just do not understand satire. They think it's weird. There's people who just don't understand you portray something or just explore a character, it means you're condoning it, saying this is the way to live.
Quote examples
Paul G. Tremblay
American Author
Crime, horror, and satire each aim to reveal an ugly or uncomfortable truth: one that, after the reveal, will ensure we'll never be the same. The big difference between those genres being the effect they create.
Quote examples
T. J. Miller
American Actor
By the very nature of satire or parody, you have to love and respect your target and respect it enough to understand every aspect of it, so you can more effectively make fun of it.
Quote examples
Isaac Hayes
American Musician
There is a place in this world for satire, but there is a time when satire ends and intolerance and bigotry towards religious beliefs of others begins.
Quote examples
Adolph Green
American Playwright
We've managed to keep a spirit of fun, I guess, of urban satire and finding new and odd interesting angles to the ways of life to put on the stage.
Quote examples
Kevin Kline
American Actor
When you have satire, it has to be real. No matter how outrageous the comedy becomes, you have to believe in the characters.
Quote examples
Stephen Gaghan
American Director
Life serves up satire. Unfortunately. Or fortunately. I don't know. You have to reel it in to drama.
Quote examples
Shoojit Sircar
Indian Director
Gulabo Sitabo' is a simple satire on life. It's a genre I have tried for the first time.
Quote examples
Laura Benanti
American Actress
I feel like comedy is important, and I think political satire can be really important.
Quote examples
John Oliver
British Comedian
It's a great time to be doing political satire when the world is on a knife edge.
Example 1 of 10
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