Travesty

A travesty is a distorted or grossly inferior imitation or representation of something. It’s a debased, ludicrous, or mocking version that falls far short of the original in quality, seriousness, or intent. A travesty often involves misrepresentation, exaggeration, or the trivialization of something important or valuable. It highlights the degradation of standards, the corruption of values, or the misuse of something sacred. A travesty can occur in art, literature, law, politics, or any field where integrity and accuracy are expected. It mocks and devalues the subject it supposedly represents, making a mockery of its true form.

Travesty meaning with examples

• The film adaptation of the beloved novel was a cinematic travesty. It butchered the plot, distorted the characters, and missed the entire point of the original, leaving fans deeply disappointed. The producers seemed to have no respect for the source material, opting for sensationalism over substance, thus desecrating what was sacred.
• The judge's decision to let the criminal go free, given the overwhelming evidence, was a complete travesty of justice. The verdict undermined the legal system and sent the chilling message that the lives of victims don't matter, demonstrating a blatant disregard for fairness and impartiality, leaving the community outraged.
• The government’s attempt to address the environmental crisis with half-hearted measures was a complete travesty of their commitment. They greenwashed their efforts, creating the impression of action without implementing any meaningful changes, which enraged environmental activists, making the situation worse.
• The modern 'art' exhibit of trash and scrap metal in a revered museum felt like a travesty of artistic expression. It seemed to intentionally undermine the very concept of art, suggesting that talent and skill are obsolete, and left many art critics scratching their heads.