travesty
Travesty (noun) means a shocking, absurd distortion of something that should be fair or serious — a mockery of what it claims to represent. Example: “Critics called the trial a travesty of justice.”
How to use travesty
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA travesty is something so badly done or so unfair that it makes a mockery of how things should be — most often heard in the phrase "a travesty of justice."
Don't confuse with "tragedy" — a travesty is about something being made ridiculous or unjust, not simply sad.
Word forms
travestied past tense, travesties plural, travesties singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Critics called the trial a _____ of justice.
Etymology
From French travesti, "disguised" — from Italian travestire, "to dress up" (tra-, "across" + vestire, "to dress"). The same root gives us "vest" and "wear."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for travesty
See all rhymes for travesty →Frequently asked questions
What does “travesty” mean?
The word “travesty” means a shocking, absurd distortion of something that should be fair or serious — a mockery of what it claims to represent. In plain terms, a travesty is something so badly done or so unfair that it makes a mockery of how things should be — most often heard in the phrase "a travesty of justice.".
How do you pronounce “travesty”?
“Travesty” is pronounced TRAV-ihs-tee (/ˈtɹæv.ɪs.ti/ in IPA).
How do you use “travesty” in a sentence?
Here is “travesty” used in a sentence: “Critics called the trial a travesty of justice.”
What is another word for “travesty”?
Words with a similar meaning to “travesty” include caricature and feign.
What is the opposite of “travesty”?
The opposite of “travesty” — its antonyms — is veracity.
What part of speech is “travesty”?
Depending on how it is used, “travesty” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “travesty” come from?
The word “travesty” comes from French. From French travesti, "disguised" — from Italian travestire, "to dress up" (tra-, "across" + vestire, "to dress"). The same root gives us "vest" and "wear.".
How many meanings does “travesty” have?
“Travesty” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a shocking, absurd distortion of something that should be fair or serious — a mockery of what it claims to represent.