noun

travesty

travesty, mockery, parody, caricature

The trial was a travesty of justice.

The trial was a travesty of justice.

((a travesty of sth.)) a distorted representation of (sth.) The trial was a travesty of justice.

Synonyms: mockery, parody, farce; Antonyms: tribute, homage

From Italian 'travestire' meaning 'to disguise', which comes from 'tra-' (across) + 'vestire' (to dress).

Think of a 'travesty' as a 'travesty of dress' – a poor imitation or disguise that makes a mockery of the original.

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