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a picture, description, etc., ludicrously exaggerating the peculiarities or defects of persons or things:
His caricature of the mayor in this morning’s paper is the best he’s ever drawn.
the art or process of producing such pictures, descriptions, etc.
any imitation or copy so distorted or inferior as to be ludicrous.
to make a caricature of; represent in caricature.
Contemporary Examples

The role of the church is, quite properly, examined, but care has been taken not to caricature what happened.
Dame Judi Dench on Playing the Inspiring Philomena Dame Judi Dench November 21, 2013

Their increased influence in the party permitted the Republican Party to caricature the Democrats as appeasers.
Obama the Hawk? Michael Lind December 1, 2008

This lovwly little image of an island was painted at about the same time as his boxers, and also has a note of caricature.
A Little Island Writ Large Blake Gopnik August 5, 2012

Only outsiders who caricature Israel as a right-wing garrison state were surprised.
Israel 2013 Is Not Bibi’s Israel Gil Troy January 22, 2013

Kosove says the role of “some Southern Christian Bible-thumping do-gooder” read like a caricature to her.
Sandra’s $200 Million Year Kim Masters December 1, 2009

Historical Examples

Since you will force me to tell it, a caricature of——Yourself, sir.
Blackwood’s Edinburgh Magazine, No. 404, June, 1849 Various

caricature, by the way, is a branch of Georgian Art which M. Rouquet neglects.
De Libris: Prose and Verse Austin Dobson

His chief gift to caricature is his unprecedented development of the narrative quality in pictorial art.
The History of the Nineteenth Century in Caricature Arthur Bartlett Maurice

This caricature of me had just appeared, and had been the delight of idle folks.
My Double Life Sarah Bernhardt

The very curious misereres in the church of Ludlow, in Shropshire, present the caricature reproduced in our cut No. 67.
A History of Caricature and Grotesque Thomas Wright

noun
a pictorial, written, or acted representation of a person, which exaggerates his characteristic traits for comic effect
a ludicrously inadequate or inaccurate imitation: he is a caricature of a statesman
verb
(transitive) to represent in caricature or produce a caricature of
n.

1748 (figurative), 1750 (literal), from French caricature (18c.), from Italian caricatura “satirical picture; an exaggeration,” literally “an overloading,” from caricare “to load, exaggerate,” from Vulgar Latin carricare “to load a car” (see charge (v.)). The Italian form had been used in English from 1680s and was common 18c.
v.

1749, from caricature (n.). Related: Caricatured; caricaturing.

In art or literature, portrayal of an individual or thing that exaggerates and distorts prominent characteristics so as to make them appear ridiculous. Caricature is commonly a medium for satire.