1
Core meaning
The use of humour, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize human folly or social problems.
Example
The novel is a satire of bureaucratic ambition.
satire
/ˈsætaɪər/ · SAT-yrenoun
The use of humour, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize human folly or social problems.
Use satire to express this relationship precisely: the use of humour, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize human folly or social problems.
What satire Really Means
The word becomes easier to use when its closely related senses are separated and compared.
2
Common noun frame
Use this noun in a complete noun phrase, adding the complement that identifies what it refers to when needed.
Example
Satire exaggerates the officials' vanity to expose it.
3
Analytical distinction
Choose it when this exact concept matters; a related term may describe its cause, evidence, or opposite instead.
Example
The programme mixes news commentary with political satire.
Use satire Naturally
Notice how the surrounding noun or clause reveals the exact shade of meaning.
The novel is a satire of bureaucratic ambition.
Satire exaggerates the officials' vanity to expose it.
The programme mixes news commentary with political satire.
Precision Matters
Satire overlaps with several common words, but each carries a different emphasis.
satire
vs.Means the use of humour, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize human folly or social problems.
propaganda
Means biased or misleading information deliberately spread to promote a political cause, viewpoint, or group.
satire
vs.Means the use of humour, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize human folly or social problems.
anecdote
Means a brief account of a real or purported incident, often interesting or amusing but not necessarily representative evidence.
satire
vs.Means the use of humour, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize human folly or social problems.
rhetoric
Means language crafted to persuade or impress; sometimes, impressive-sounding language lacking substance.
satire
vs.Means the use of humour, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize human folly or social problems.
sarcasm
Means cutting or mocking language, often saying the opposite of what is meant in order to ridicule.
Test satire in Context
The work uses comic exaggeration and ridicule for social criticism.
1
By portraying every minister as a puppet controlled by opinion polls, the play uses ___ to criticize government cowardice.