satirize

Satirize is a verb meaning to subject people, events, or institutions to satire—a form of critique that uses humor, irony, exaggeration, parody, or caricature to expose folly or vice. To satirize something is to criticize it by highlighting flaws in a way that is entertaining or thought-provoking, often with the aim of prompting reform or reflection rather than merely insulting the subject.

Satire, the corresponding noun, comes from Middle French satyre or Latin satira, ultimately from Greek satura, meaning a medley of verse. The verb satirize is formed from satire by the -ize suffix, with its modern sense extending from literary usage to journalism and other media.

Common techniques include irony, sarcasm, hyperbole, parody, and caricature. Satire depends on readers' recognition of discrepancies between appearance and reality, or between claimed motives and actual actions. Its tone can be gentle or affectionate, or sharp and biting, depending on purpose, audience, and context.

Historically, satire appears in ancient and modern forms across cultures. In English-language literature, notable examples include Jonathan Swift's A Modest Proposal and George Orwell's Animal Farm, which use satire to critique political and social issues. In contemporary practice, satirists work in literature, journalism, cartoons, film, and online media.