caricature

This term describes a deliberate distortion of reality to highlight a specific trait, often for the purpose of satire or ridicule. While it frequently appears in the context of visual art, it equally applies to verbal impressions or written descriptions that simplify a complex person into a few exaggerated quirks. Depending on the intent, the word can range from playful and affectionate to malicious and cruel. It implies a reduction of a whole person to a single, oversized characteristic, creating a version of the subject that is recognizable yet absurd.