Definition

1. Noun:

   • A piece of writing, a drawing, or a performance that humorously and harshly criticizes and makes fun of a person, policy, or institution by exaggerating their faults or characteristics.

2. Verb:

   • To publicly criticize someone or something through a humorous and satirical lampoon.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The magazine published a vicious lampoon of the company's environmental policy.
  • His latest film is a brilliant lampoon of celebrity culture.

• Verb:

  • The cartoonist lampooned the mayor's speech in the daily newspaper.
  • In his stand-up routine, he cleverly lampoons modern political figures.

Advanced Usage

• "to be the subject of a lampoon": to be the target of satirical criticism.
  • The minister became the subject of a lampoon after his controversial statement.
• "a biting/scathing lampoon": a particularly harsh and effective piece of satire.
  • The playwright is known for her scathing lampoons of high society.

Variants and Related Words

• Lampooner/Lampoonist (n): a person who writes or creates lampoons.
  • The famous lampoonist was feared by many in power.
• Lampoonery (n): the practice of writing lampoons; satirical mockery.
  • The article was an exercise in pure lampoonery.

Synonyms

• Satire (n): the use of humor, irony, or ridicule to criticize.
• Parody (n): an imitation of a style for comic effect.
• Caricature (n): a portrayal that exaggerates features for satirical effect.

Related Phrases

• "to lampoon someone/something mercilessly": to satirize without restraint.
  • The show lampoons current affairs mercilessly every week.

Related Idioms

• "to hold someone up to ridicule": to make someone an object of mockery. (This captures the intent of lampooning.)
  • The article's purpose was to hold the corporation up to public ridicule.

Noun

1. a composition that imitates or misrepresents somebody's style, usually in a humorous way

Verb

1. ridicule with satire
   • The writer satirized the politician's proposal