travesty

USAGE SUMMARY

'travesty' is correct and usable in written English.
It is a noun that means a mocking imitation or a debased, distorted, or grotesque imitation of something. Example sentence: The cheapskate version of a beloved classic film was a travesty.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That would be a travesty.

The New York Times

It is a travesty.

The Guardian - Sport

"To hold it in a context where some basic fundamental rights are markedly absent, indeed, denied to the population, is to commit a travesty".

The New York Times

So, in recent years, we've endured 60s, 70s and 80s revivals, punters encouraged to wear silly clothes, like silly music, and generally pretend that crap things were great, a dispiriting travesty of irony, meta-irony, disingenuousness and disingenuity.

The Guardian - Sport

Soames, an MP for Mid Sussex, the heart of the commuter belt, said he was horrified by the travesty of the railway industry's performance over Christmas, adding he was sure the transport secretary, Patrick McLoughlin, felt a similar sense of outrage.

The Guardian

In short, switching to the superior infrastructure of Malaysia with an injection of studio shots ensured a travesty.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"I think it's a real travesty over a million people voted Green up and down the country and yet that's been translated into just one seat, so I'm feeling fairly confident that as a result of what we've seen tonight there will be a real movement outside of parliament, a real anger for people wanting voting reform".

The Guardian

Long before either received their knighthoods, the pair decided it was a travesty that Manchester had no arthouse cinema and resolved to build one.

The Guardian

The deputy Asia director of Human Rights Watch, Phil Robertson, described the court's verdict as a "travesty".

The Guardian

The Academy's failure to recognise The Lego Movie in its nominations will be seen as too great a travesty of justice for Bafta not to be itching to correct.

The Guardian - Film

"Mr Fahmy's trial was fundamentally unfair and his imprisonment a travesty of justice," Clooney said in a text co-authored with Mark Wassouf, another barrister at Doughty Street chambers.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "travesty", ensure the context clearly establishes what is being misrepresented or mocked. Strong examples provide a point of comparison, highlighting the degree of distortion.

Common error

Avoid using "travesty" to describe minor inconveniences or disagreements. Its strength lies in depicting significant distortions or mockeries of justice, truth, or artistic integrity.

Linguistic Context

The word "travesty" primarily functions as a noun, denoting an absurd, distorted, or grotesque misrepresentation of something. Ludwig AI confirms that this is grammatically correct and widely used in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "travesty" is a commonly used noun to describe a distorted or debased imitation, especially in contexts involving justice, art, or ideals. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent use, particularly in news and media. When using "travesty", ensure a clear reference point for the distortion to maximize its impact. While related to terms like "mockery" and "parody", "travesty" carries a stronger connotation of degradation. Be mindful of overusing it in trivial situations, reserving it for instances where there is a significant misrepresentation or corruption.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

travesty of justice

Specifies that the "travesty" occurs within a legal context, emphasizing the unfairness and corruption of the judicial process.

mockery

Focuses on the act of ridiculing or making fun of something, similar to "travesty" in conveying a distorted representation.

sham

Emphasizes the falseness or deceptiveness of something, highlighting the lack of genuine substance that makes the representation a "travesty".

farce

Highlights the absurdity and ridiculousness of a situation or event, sharing the sense of inappropriateness with "travesty".

perversion

Suggests a corruption or distortion of something originally good or correct, similar to how a "travesty" corrupts the original intention or form.

distortion

Focuses on the altering or twisting of something from its true form, a core element of what constitutes a "travesty".

parody

Implies an imitation done for comedic effect, often exaggerating characteristics, in line with the misrepresentation aspect of a "travesty".

caricature

Emphasizes the exaggeration of certain features to create a distorted and often comical representation, akin to a "travesty".

corruption

Highlights the decay and impurity involved, suggesting a moral decline similar to the degradation implied by a "travesty".

misrepresentation

Focuses on the inaccuracy and deceptiveness involved in presenting something, which can lead to a "travesty" of the original intent.

FAQs

How can I use "travesty" in a sentence?

Use "travesty" to describe something that is a grotesque or debased imitation. For instance, "The trial was a "travesty of justice"."

What's a good alternative to the word "travesty"?

Depending on the context, you can use words like "mockery", "sham", or "farce" as alternatives to "travesty".

Is it correct to say "a travesty of justice"?

Yes, "a "travesty of justice"" is a common and correct usage, indicating a serious perversion or mockery of the legal system.

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

"Travesty" implies a debased or distorted imitation, often with negative consequences, while "parody" is an imitation for comedic or satirical effect.