Parody Crossword Clue: The Ultimate Guide to Solving Your Puzzle

You are sitting with your morning coffee, and you feel great. You are filling in the white squares of your crossword puzzle one by one. Then, you hit a wall. You see the parody crossword clue, but the boxes do not seem to match your ideas. You look at the empty boxes. Maybe there are four, five, or even seven. You try a word, but the letters crossing it do not make sense. This is the moment where many people feel like giving up. It is frustrating to be so close to finishing and have one word stand in your way.

Do not let this small hurdle ruin your day. Every puzzle lover has felt this exact same stress. The parody crossword clue is a favorite for puzzle makers because it has so many synonyms. Some are funny, some are mean, and some are just plain weird. This guide is here to take away that confusion. We will look at every possible answer, from the shortest to the longest. We will also look at the “why” behind the clue so you can pick the right word the first time.

Why Parody is Such a Common Clue

If you feel like you see this clue all the time, you are right. Crossword creators, often called “constructors,” love words that use common letters. Think about vowels like A, E, and O. Think about common consonants like S, P, and T. Words like “SPOOF” and “SATIRE” are full of these useful letters.

The word “parody” also has many different shades of meaning. In English, a parody can be a song, a movie, a joke, or even a bad imitation of a serious thing. This gives the person making the puzzle a lot of freedom. They can hide a very simple word behind a tricky clue. Our goal today is to pull back the curtain and see exactly what they are thinking.

Quick Solutions for the Parody Crossword Clue

Before we dive deep, let’s look at the most likely winners. If you are playing the New York Times, USA Today, or LA Times puzzles, these words appear most often.

• SPOOF (5 Letters): This is the “gold standard” answer. It is light, fun, and fits most themes.
• SATIRE (6 Letters): Use this if the clue mentions something smart or political.
• SKIT (4 Letters): This usually refers to a performance on a show like Saturday Night Live.
• APE (3 Letters): If you only have three boxes, this is almost always the answer. It means to copy someone’s movements.
• MOCK (4 Letters): This is used when the parody is meant to be a little bit mean or teasing.

Solving by the Numbers: 3 and 4-Letter Solutions

When you only have a few boxes, you do not have much room for error. Short words are often used to connect larger parts of the puzzle.

The 3-Letter Answers Three-letter words are often the hardest because they can be very obscure.

1. APE: This is a classic. While we think of the animal, in a crossword, it means to mimic. If you “ape” someone, you are doing a parody of their walk or talk.
2. RIB: To rib someone is to tease them. A “rib” can be a gentle parody of a friend.
3. GUY: This is an old-fashioned term. It refers to a parody or a funny statue made to look like someone.
4. KID: To kid is to joke. Sometimes “parody” is used as a verb, and “kid” fits perfectly.

The 4-Letter Answers Four-letter words are very common. They often sit at the edges of the puzzle.

1. SKIT: This is a short, funny play. Many parodies are written as skits.
2. MOCK: This word means to make fun of something by copying it. It is a direct synonym for the verb form of parody.
3. JEST: A jest is a joke. If a parody is done in a playful way, this word might be used.
4. FAKE: Sometimes a parody is just a fake version of the real thing.
5. COPY: This is a very simple way to describe a parody. It is a copy that might be a bit different from the original.
6. SHAM: This word is used when the parody is meant to show that the original thing is not very good.

The Middle Ground: 5-Letter Solutions

Five letters is the most common length for this clue. If you are stuck here, you are likely looking for one of these words.

1. SPOOF This is the word you will see more than any other. A spoof is a humorous take on a specific genre. Think of a movie that pokes fun at spy films. That is a spoof. It is a “kind” parody. It is not meant to hurt anyone’s feelings. It uses common letters (S, P, O, F) that help constructors build the rest of the grid.

2. FARCE A farce is a type of comedy that is very loud and silly. It often involves people running in and out of doors or making big mistakes. If the crossword clue mentions a “silly parody” or a “stage parody,” try FARCE.

3. ROAST You might have seen a “roast” on television. This is where comedians tell mean jokes about a celebrity. It is a form of parody because they are imitating the celebrity’s life in a funny way.

4. MIMIC A mimic is a person who does parodies. However, sometimes the clue uses the person and the act interchangeably. If you see “parody performer,” MIMIC is your best bet.

5. SQUIB This is a rare word, but it shows up in “hard” puzzles like the Sunday editions. A squib is a short, satirical piece of writing. It is a very old word for a parody.

Solving the Parody Crossword Clue with 6 or 7 Letters

As the words get longer, the definitions get more specific. These words describe the “intent” of the parody.

The 6-Letter Answers

1. SATIRE: This is a “high-class” parody. It uses humor to show that a person or an idea is foolish. It is often found in the news or in books.
2. SENDUP: This is a very common term in British crosswords. To “send up” something is to make a parody of it. In the grid, it is usually written as one word: SENDUP.
3. COMEDY: Sometimes the clue is very broad. Since a parody is a type of comedy, this word occasionally fits.
4. SITCOM: Short for “situational comedy.” If the parody is about a TV show, this might be the answer.
5. PUT-ON: This is a slang term. A put-on is a trick or a parody where you pretend something is real when it is actually a joke.

The 7-Letter Answers

1. LAMPOON: This is a strong word. A lampoon is a sharp, viral parody. In the old days, a lampoon was a written attack on someone. Now, it just means a very good parody.
2. TAKEOFF: Just like “sendup,” this is a phrase used as a noun. A “takeoff on a movie” is a parody of that movie.
3. IMITATE: This is the verb form. To parody is to imitate.
4. MOCKERY: If the parody is very mean, it is called a mockery. This word is often used in puzzles that have a slightly more serious tone.
5. CARTOON: A cartoon can be a visual parody. Think of a drawing of a politician with a very large nose. That is a parody in picture form.

Deep Dives into Long-Form Answers

As your crossword puzzle grows, the words often get more complex. Long-form answers for a parody clue are usually found in the “Late Week” puzzles. These are the ones that come out on Fridays or Saturdays when the clues get much tougher. If you have eight, nine, or even ten boxes to fill, you are looking for a very specific type of word.

The 8-Letter Answers

1. TRAVESTY: This word is often used when a parody is done poorly. A travesty is an imitation that is so bad it is almost sad. It is a “grotesque” parody.
2. PASTICHE: This is a beautiful word for a parody. It refers to a work that imitates the style of a famous artist. Unlike a spoof, a pastiche is usually a sign of respect.
3. BURLESQUE: This is a classic theater term. It refers to a show that makes a very serious subject look ridiculous. It is a very common answer in older crossword puzzles.
4. RIDICULE: To parody someone is often to ridicule them. This word is used when the intent is to make the subject look silly or weak.

The 9 and 10-Letter Answers When you reach this length, you are often looking at two words put together or a very formal term.

1. IMITATION: This is the most direct long-form synonym. A parody is, at its heart, an imitation of something else.
2. CARICATURE: This is a 10-letter word that refers to a parody that exaggerates certain features. While we often think of drawings, you can also write or perform a caricature.
3. PASQUINADE: This is a very rare word. It refers to a satire or lampoon posted in a public place. If you see this in a puzzle, you are likely playing a very difficult “Expert” level grid.

How to Tell Which One to Use

You might feel overwhelmed by all these choices. How do you know if the answer is SPOOF or FARCE? How do you choose between SATIRE and SENDUP? The secret lies in the tiny hints the puzzle maker leaves for you.

Look at the Parts of Speech Is the clue a verb or a noun?

• If the clue is “To parody,” the answer must be a verb. Look for APE, MOCK, or IMITATE.
• If the clue is “A parody,” the answer must be a noun. Look for SPOOF, SKIT, or LAMPOON.

Look for Geographic Hints Sometimes the clue will have a word like “Brit” or “Across the pond.”

• If you see a British hint, the answer is almost always SENDUP.
• If the clue feels very American, SPOOF is more likely.

Check the Era Some words are “old-fashioned.”

• If the puzzle feels modern (referencing apps or social media), use SPOOF.
• If the puzzle feels old (referencing 1940s movies or radio), use BURLESQUE or TRAVESTY.

Common Phrases That Lead to “Parody”

Sometimes the clue isn’t just the word “parody.” It might be a phrase that describes a parody. Learning these phrases will help you recognize the answer instantly.

1. “Satirical take-off”: This is a 5-letter or 7-letter hint. The answer is usually SPOOF or LAMPOON.
2. “Humorous imitation”: This is the most basic definition. It leads to almost any word on our list, so check your letters!
3. “Send-up of a sort”: The words “of a sort” usually mean the answer is a bit tricky. Look for SPOOF or SKIT.
4. “Mocking tribute”: This is a clever way to describe a ROAST or a PASTICHE.

The Strategy of the Crossing Letters

The best way to solve a “parody” clue is to not look at the clue at all for a moment. Instead, look at the words that cross through it. These are called “crossers.”

Imagine you have a 5-letter word for parody.

• If the first letter of a crossing word ends in S, you now know the first letter of your parody word.
• If the last letter of another word provides an F, you now have S _ _ _ F.
• Now, you don’t even need to think. The answer is SPOOF.

This “outside-in” method is how professional crossword solvers work. They do not guess the word. They let the grid tell them what the word is. If you feel stuck, move to the clues around “parody” and come back later. The answer will often appear on its own once you have two or three letters.

Why Do Crosswords Use These Words So Much?

You might wonder why you see “SPOOF” or “APE” in every other puzzle. This is because of something called “Scrabble Value.” In a crossword, the letters need to be easy to connect.

The letter S is very easy to connect to other words because many words start with S. The letter E is the most common letter in the English language. This is why SATIRE and SENDUP are so popular with constructors. They are “glue words.” They hold the harder, more interesting words together in the grid.

When you see a “parody” clue, remember that it might be there just to help the maker fit a very long, difficult word somewhere else in the puzzle.

A Master List of Synonyms for Your Notes

If you want to be a pro at crosswords, it helps to keep a list. Here is a quick reference you can use whenever you see “parody” in the future.

• 3 Letters: APE, RIB, GUY, KID, WIT
• 4 Letters: SKIT, MOCK, JEST, FAKE, COPY, SHAM, SHOW, TAKE
• 5 Letters: SPOOF, FARCE, ROAST, MIMIC, SQUIB, TEASE, TWIST
• 6 Letters: SATIRE, SENDUP, COMEDY, SITCOM, PUT-ON, DERIDE
• 7 Letters: LAMPOON, TAKEOFF, IMITATE, MOCKERY, CARTOON, MIMICRY
• 8 Letters: TRAVESTY, PASTICHE, BURLESQUE, RIDICULE
• 9 Letters: IMITATION, BURLESQUE, DECEPTION
• 10 Letters: CARICATURE, PASQUINADE

Expert Tips for “Cryptic” Crosswords

If you are playing a “Cryptic” crossword, the rules are different. A cryptic clue for parody might look like this: “A funny imitation of a quiet dish (5).”

In this case, the answer is still SPOOF. Why? Because in cryptic puzzles, “quiet” is often represented by the letter S (for “shh”). A “dish” can be a “POOF” (an old word for a mistake or a puff of air). When you put them together, you get SPOOF.

Cryptic clues are like riddles. If the clue for “parody” looks like a weird sentence that doesn’t make sense, try to break it into two parts: a definition and a wordplay. The definition will almost always be at the very beginning or the very end of the clue.

Dealing with the Frustration of “Almost”

One of the biggest pain points for any solver is having a word that almost fits. You have S _ _ I R E and you think, “It must be SATIRE.” But then you look at the cross-word and it needs to be an O.

When this happens, do not force the word. It is a common mistake to keep an incorrect word in the grid because you like it. If it doesn’t fit the crossing letters, it is wrong. Erase it and look at your list again. Could it be SPOOF? Could it be SENDUP?

Being a great solver means being okay with being wrong. Every time you erase a word and find the correct one, your brain gets better at recognizing patterns. This is how you move from a beginner to an expert.

Final Thoughts on Finding Your Answer

Solving a crossword is a journey. The “parody” clue is just one small stop along the way. By using the letter counts, checking the crossers, and understanding the “flavor” of the clue, you can solve this mystery in seconds.

Remember, the goal is to have fun. If you are really stuck, there is no shame in looking at a list like this one. It is a way to learn new words and improve your skills for the next puzzle. Now, look at your grid. Which word fits? Is it the classic SPOOF or the smart SATIRE? Fill it in, move to the next clue, and finish that puzzle!

Frequently Asked Questions About the Parody Crossword Clue

How do I know if the parody crossword clue needs a verb or a noun?

This is a common point of confusion that leads to wrong answers and messy erasures. Look at the clue carefully. If the clue says “To parody,” the puzzle wants a verb like APE, MOCK, or IMITATE. If the clue says “A parody,” it wants a noun like SKIT, SPOOF, or FARCE. Checking the part of speech first will save you from frustration later.

Why does my 6-letter answer for parody not fit the grid?

If you have six boxes and your word is not working, you are likely choosing between SATIRE and SENDUP. If the letters do not line up, check the “flavor” of your puzzle. SATIRE is usually the answer for smart or political clues. SENDUP is a very popular term in British puzzles or traditional crosswords. If one does not work, try the other to see if the crossing letters match.

What is the most common answer for a parody crossword clue with 5 letters?

The most common 5-letter answer is SPOOF. This word appears more than any other in major puzzles like the New York Times and USA Today. If you have five boxes and the clue is “humorous imitation,” try SPOOF first. It uses very common letters that help you solve the words around it much faster.

How can I solve a parody crossword clue when I have no crossing letters?

When you have an empty grid, the best strategy is to look at the letter count and try these common winners:

• 3 Letters: Try APE.
• 4 Letters: Try SKIT or MOCK.
• 5 Letters: Try SPOOF or FARCE.
• 6 Letters: Try SATIRE or SENDUP.
• 7 Letters: Try LAMPOON or TAKEOFF.

Can the word parody ever be the answer instead of the clue?

Yes! Sometimes the puzzle creator flips the script. If the clue is something like “Satirical imitation” or “Funny takeoff,” the answer itself might be PARODY. This is a 6-letter word that fits perfectly in many grids and is a common way to fill a mid-length space.

Disclaimer: The information in “Parody Crossword Clue: The Ultimate Guide to Solving Your Puzzle” is for educational and entertainment purposes only. While we aim for total accuracy, crossword clues vary significantly by publication and date. We are not affiliated with the New York Times, LA Times, or any puzzle publisher. Trademarked terms are used for identification only. Always verify your grid’s crossing letters before finalizing answers.

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