satire

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "satire" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a genre of literature, art, or performance that uses humor, irony, or exaggeration to criticize or mock individuals, institutions, or societal norms. Example: "The novel is a brilliant satire of contemporary politics, highlighting the absurdities of the electoral process."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Film

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But the wunderkind, who runs the Donmar Warehouse theatre in London, was anything but blasé last night about the success of his dark satire on suburbia.

The Guardian - Film

May We Be Forgiven by AM Homes (Granta), is a sharply observant, if slightly fantastical, satire on modern family life that made me laugh out loud.

The Guardian - Books

American Beauty also maintains the astringency of satire.

The Guardian

The rollicking satire also packs a message, something typical of films by director Rajkumar Hirani, who first had international success with 3 Idiots, also starring Khan.

The Guardian - Film

He adds: "My dream is a publication that is really created collectively, that is younger, with a more modern type of satire, just as political as ever but with more focus on culture.

The Guardian

Related: Dheepan review - Tamil Tiger loose in the urban jungle makes powerful thriller Yorgos Lanthimos's The Lobster got the jury prize: a movie about which I was agnostic: a brilliant absurdist comedy in its first half with some dazzling satire about modern society's reverence for relationships and coupledom.

The Guardian - Film

Adeola Fayehun's ambush of ageing Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe has catapulted the queen of Nigerian satire, already a star in many countries in Africa, into the international spotlight.

The Guardian

Asked to describe the position of Charlie Hebdo in France today, as well as its heritage in French satire, Biard joked: "I must assure you that we don't eat children, and we don't eat believers either".

The Guardian

She now believes that Charlie Hebdo's "controversial images – while arguably tasteless, offensive and not even particularly well-drawn – sprang from satire, not hate".

The Guardian - Books

Kevin Sutcliffe, Channel 4's deputy head of news and current affairs, says: "What's been missing for a long time is a live, political satire show.

The Guardian

"The mixture of the coalition and the financial crisis and the consequent cuts means it's a darker time and more fertile ground for satire.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "satire" when you intend to use humor, irony, or exaggeration to criticize or mock individuals, institutions, or societal norms to provoke change or awareness.

Common error

Avoid using "satire" merely for humor without a critical or corrective intent; effective "satire" should have a deeper purpose beyond simple amusement.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "satire" is as a noun, referring to a literary or artistic work that uses humor, irony, or ridicule to expose and criticize people's stupidity or vices. Ludwig confirms this usage through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Film

15%

Books

15%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "satire" is a noun that denotes a literary or artistic work employing humor, irony, or ridicule to critique societal issues or individuals. Ludwig highlights that "satire" is grammatically correct and very commonly used, particularly in news, film, and books. Related phrases include "parody", "lampoon", and "spoof". Effective use of "satire" requires a critical intent beyond mere humor, aiming to provoke thought and potentially inspire change. As Ludwig AI confirms, "satire" maintains a consistent function and purpose across various contexts, solidifying its role as a powerful tool for social commentary.The high quality of the sources analyzed by Ludwig further supports the reliability and widespread acceptance of the word "satire".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

parody

Focuses on imitating a style or work for comic effect or ridicule.

lampoon

Highlights the use of sharp, often malicious satire to attack or ridicule.

spoof

Emphasizes a light-hearted and humorous imitation of something.

burlesque

Focuses on a ludicrous or mocking imitation, often with exaggerated or distorted elements.

travesty

Implies a debased or grotesque imitation, often of something serious or respected.

mockery

Highlights the act of ridiculing or making fun of someone or something.

irony

Focuses on the expression of meaning through the use of language that normally signifies the opposite.

sarcasm

Emphasizes the use of irony to mock or convey contempt.

wit

Highlights clever and often humorous expression.

caricature

Focuses on exaggerating certain features or aspects of a subject for comic or satirical effect.

FAQs

How can I use "satire" in a sentence?

You can use "satire" to describe a work that uses humor to critique something, like: "The play is a sharp "satire" of modern corporate culture."

What's the difference between "satire" and "parody"?

"Satire" uses humor to critique, while "parody" imitates something for comedic effect. "Satire" has a critical purpose, whereas "parody" focuses on imitation.

What are some examples of famous works of "satire"?

Examples include Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift, which uses fantastical voyages to critique 18th-century society, and The Colbert Report, a television show that uses a fictional conservative character to lampoon political discourse.

Is "satire" always meant to be funny?

While "satire" often employs humor, its primary goal is to critique or expose flaws in society or individuals. The humor serves as a vehicle for delivering a more serious message.