ENGLISH
REFERENCE

satirical

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //səˈtɪɹəkəɫ// UK //sɐtˈɪɹɪkəl// satir·i·cal

adj. using humor, irony, or exaggeration to show that someone or something is foolish or bad. You often see this in books or shows that make fun of politicians or society.

adj. utilising irony, sarcasm, or ridicule to expose and criticise human vice or folly. Often used to describe literary or artistic works that mock social institutions or public figures.


SIMPLE

The show is a satirical look at modern politics.

CONTEXTUAL

The magazine is famous for its satirical cartoons that mock the greed of corporate executives.

COMPLEX

Swift's essay remains a masterpiece of satirical writing, using a cold, logical tone to highlight the absurdity and cruelty of contemporary social policies.

Synonyms
Origin

From satire + -ical.

Usage

Typically used attributively before a noun to describe creative works, such as 'satirical novel' or 'satirical sketch'.

Pitfall

a satiric moviea satirical movieWhile 'satiric' is a valid variant, 'satirical' is the much more common form used by native speakers to describe creative works.

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