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satire

/ˈsætɪr/  ·  say it: SAT·ir

using humor and ridicule to criticize folly or vice

In Literary English

In more detail

1. (noun) a form of writing or art that uses humor, exaggeration, or irony to criticize something or someone, often something serious like politics or society

2. (noun) a piece of writing or work that does this

Examples

• The movie is a clever satire of superhero films.
• The newspaper published a satire mocking the new government policies.

How to use satire

Satire is a sophisticated rhetorical technique that combines humor with criticism, often targeting serious subjects like politics, social institutions, or public figures. Unlike simple mockery or sarcasm, satire typically has a corrective or didactic purpose—the criticism is meant to provoke reflection or reform. It thrives on exaggeration and irony rather than straightforward ridicule.

Common phrases

• biting satire
• political satire
• social satire
• satirical commentary
• sharp satire
• satire on/of

Synonyms

mockery · parody · irony · lampoon · sarcasm

Word family

satirical · satirically · satirize · satirist

A common mistake

Learners sometimes confuse satire with mere sarcasm or insult; satire requires wit and a critical purpose beyond simply mocking something, and its effect depends on the audience recognizing the irony or exaggeration.

Nearby in Literary English

pathos, prose, romanticism, soliloquy, sonnet, stream of consciousness

Keep going

How to remember the words you read · Spaced repetition, explained