What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
travesty
Example
The movie was a travesty of the original book. [travesty: noun]
Example
The politician's speech was a travesty of justice. [travesty: metaphor]
parody
Example
The show included a parody of a famous TV commercial. [parody: noun]
Example
The comedian did a hilarious parody of the president's speech. [parody: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Parody is more commonly used than travesty in everyday language. Parody is often used in popular culture and entertainment, while travesty is more niche and intellectual.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between travesty and parody?
Both travesty and parody can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but travesty may be perceived as more formal due to its association with intellectual critique and analysis.