What does satirise mean?
To satirise is to criticise someone or something through humour, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule. The aim is commonly to expose hypocrisy, corruption, pretension, injustice, or an absurd social practice, although satire can also simply entertain through comic imitation. A satire may focus on a particular person, such as a politician, or on an institution or custom. Its tone is usually less direct than an exposé and more indirect than ordinary criticism, so the intended point is often conveyed through exaggeration, parody, and incongruity. Satirise is the British spelling; American usage commonly prefers satirize. The word belongs to the literary tradition of satire, which uses comic or sharply critical writing to comment on society and its weaknesses.
verbTo use humour, irony, or ridicule to expose or criticise the faults, flaws, or absurdities of a person, institution, or social practice.
- To use humour, irony, or ridicule to expose or criticise someone or something.
- To imitate or parody a style, institution, or practice in order to expose its weaknesses or absurdity.
"The cartoonist satirised politicians by portraying them as puppets controlled by the media."
"The play satirises the rituals of corporate life."
"Several newspapers satirised the minister's announcement, highlighting its obvious inconsistencies."
Satire can make a serious criticism while making people laugh—sometimes more effective than a solemn objection.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does satirise come from?
The verb comes through French from Latin satirisare, a form related to satira, meaning a medley or poem of mixed subject matter. In English, satire developed a strongly critical and comic sense. The related adjective satirical and the noun satirist use the same root.
Related word forms
How satirise is actually used
Satirise is usually critical but comic or ironic in tone. It can describe both directly mocking someone and broadly parodying a practice, style, or institution.
Easily confused with satirise
“Satirise” is the standard British spelling, while “satirize” is the corresponding American spelling.