carnivalesque

adjective

car·​ni·​val·​esque ˌkär-nə-və-ˈlesk How to pronounce carnivalesque (audio)
1
: suggestive of a carnival
a carnivalesque celebration
2
: marked by an often mocking or satirical challenge to authority and the traditional social hierarchy
a carnivalesque protest

Examples of carnivalesque in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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As usual for Bong, unexpected music choices liven things up, from quirky waltzes to carnivalesque riffs in a Danny Elfman mode. David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Feb. 2025 The vendors included a sculptor, a florist and a woman selling odd jewelry that included animal bones turned into pendants, and other gory pieces reminiscent of the carnivalesque aspects of Victorian times. Luis Giraldo, CBS News, 14 Feb. 2025 The exhibition features 150 objects spotlighting the historical interactions of Britain with Africa, India and the Caribbean, all of which impacted Guyana where the artist grew up, juxtaposed with artworks by Locke such as carnivalesque figures ‘The Watchers’. Lee Sharrock, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024 The film’s centerpiece is a chaotic, carnivalesque parade of surrealistic characters marching through Tokyo. Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 28 Sep. 2024 See All Example Sentences for carnivalesque

Word History

First Known Use

1791, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of carnivalesque was in 1791

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Cite this Entry

“Carnivalesque.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/carnivalesque. Accessed 14 Mar. 2025.

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