travesty
/ˈtrævəsti/ (bre, ipa) · [trˈævəsti] /ˈtrævəsti/ (ame, ipa) · [trˈævəsti] /ˈtra-və-stē How to pronounce travesty (audio)/ (ame, mw)
travesty — noun
- travestysingular
- travestiesplural
1. A situation or event that is so bad, wrong, or unfair that it seems to mock ever
A situation or event that is so bad, wrong, or unfair that it seems to mock everything that the thing it is meant to represent should stand for — for example, a trial that produces a clearly unjust outcome might be called 'a travesty of justice.'
Human rights groups called the military trial a complete travesty of justice.
travesty of [justice / democracy / the legal system]
William said the new policy was a travesty of everything the charity stood for.
To store priceless manuscripts in that damp basement is an absolute travesty.
The so-called election was a travesty — officials ignored votes and jailed opponents.
- mockery
more general — any act of ridicule, not necessarily of something with inherent value
- distortion
less emotive — focuses on the inaccuracy rather than the offensiveness
- perversion
stronger moral judgment — suggests deliberate corruption
- embodiment
a perfect representation of values and qualities
文法句型
a travesty of [abstract ideal]
用法筆記
Frequently found in the fixed structure 'a travesty of [abstract ideal]', especially with justice, democracy, fairness, or the legal system. The noun is almost always used in the singular.
常見錯誤
2. An intentionally exaggerated or ridiculous version of a well-known piece of writ
An intentionally exaggerated or ridiculous version of a well-known piece of writing or art, created to make people laugh or to be amusing.
The comedy troupe performed a travesty of Shakespeare's Hamlet using modern slang.
travesty of [classic literary work]
Art critics described the painting as an absurd travesty of Monet's water lily series.
Ingrid's costume version of the Mona Lisa was a funny travesty that delighted her classmates.
Diego's sketch of the Mona Lisa with sunglasses was a playful travesty of the original.
- parody
more neutral — a deliberate comedic imitation without implying degradation
- burlesque
more theatrical — a broad comic imitation often on stage
- caricature
focuses on exaggerating specific features rather than mimicking a whole work
文法句型
a travesty of [literary/artistic work]
用法筆記
This sense belongs primarily to literary and art criticism. Unlike sense 1 (SHOCKING MISREPRESENTATION), the imitation here is intended to amuse or entertain rather than to shock or offend.
travesty — verb
- travestypresent simple I / you / we / they
- travesties3rd person singular
- travestying-ing form
- travestiedpast simple
1. To present or imitate something in an intentionally distorted or laughable way,
To present or imitate something in an intentionally distorted or laughable way, removing its original seriousness or true meaning.
The satirical play travestied the national ceremony, turning a solemn event into a joke.
Mark accused the journalist of travestying his views by quoting only the harshest remarks.
travesty + someone's views / words / position
Roya's cartoon travestied the politician's speech by surrounding her with empty slogans.
Ravindra felt the documentary travestied his community's traditions by showing only the strangest practices.
- parody
lighter in tone — does not necessarily imply the original is degraded
- caricature
focuses on exaggerated physical or vocal traits rather than content
文法句型
travesty + noun phrase
用法筆記
A formal and uncommon verb. It cannot be used as a neutral synonym for 'imitate' or 'copy' — it always carries a negative judgment that the imitation is degrading or ridiculous.