APE Synonyms: 291 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'ape' distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of ape are copy , imitate , mimic , and mock . While all these words mean "to make something so that it resembles an existing thing," ape may suggest presumptuous, slavish, or inept imitating of a superior original. // American fashion designers aped their European colleagues

Q: When is it sensible to use 'copy' instead of 'ape'?

The words copy and ape can be used in similar contexts, but copy suggests duplicating an original as nearly as possible. // copied the painting and sold the fake as an original

Q: Where would 'imitate' be a reasonable alternative to 'ape'?

Although the words imitate and ape have much in common, imitate suggests following a model or a pattern but may allow for some variation. // imitate a poet's style

Q: When might 'mimic' be a better fit than 'ape'?

The words mimic and ape are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, mimic implies a close copying (as of voice or mannerism) often for fun, ridicule, or lifelike imitation. // pupils mimicking their teacher

Q: When could 'mock' be used to replace 'ape'?

While the synonyms mock and ape are close in meaning, mock usually implies imitation with derision. // mocking a vain man's pompous manner

ape 1 of 3

verb

Definition of ape next

as in to imitate

to use (someone or something) as the model for one's speech, mannerisms, or behavior was caught aping the substitute teacher's thick accent

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

ape

2 of 3

adjective

as in maniac

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

ape

3 of 3

noun

as in aper

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

nonactor

as in anthropoid

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word ape distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of ape are copy, imitate, mimic, and mock. While all these words mean "to make something so that it resembles an existing thing," ape may suggest presumptuous, slavish, or inept imitating of a superior original.

American fashion designers aped their European colleagues

When is it sensible to use copy instead of ape?

The words copy and ape can be used in similar contexts, but copy suggests duplicating an original as nearly as possible.

copied the painting and sold the fake as an original

Where would imitate be a reasonable alternative to ape?

Although the words imitate and ape have much in common, imitate suggests following a model or a pattern but may allow for some variation.

imitate a poet's style

When might mimic be a better fit than ape?

The words mimic and ape are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, mimic implies a close copying (as of voice or mannerism) often for fun, ridicule, or lifelike imitation.

pupils mimicking their teacher

When could mock be used to replace ape?

While the synonyms mock and ape are close in meaning, mock usually implies imitation with derision.

mocking a vain man's pompous manner

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of ape

Verb

All the while, no efforts are made to ape Richard Corben’s signature comic art work, which brought a sense of unsettling caricature to every page. —

Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 9 Oct. 2024 At the time, Spotify was still operating an invite-only model to build hype around the streaming service’s exclusivity, aping Zuckerberg’s early Facebook model that required specific college email addresses to sign up. —

Byryan Hogg, Fortune Europe, 1 Oct. 2024

Adjective

Every hominin species in the fossil record has its own unique mix of familiar human traits and more ape-like ones, shaped by their environments and lifestyles. —

Kiona N. Smith, Ars Technica, 30 Mar. 2020 Walking upright on two legs is considered a human trait that separates us from our ape relatives, like chimpanzees, gorillas and orangutans. —

Ashley Strickland, CNN, 2 Apr. 2020

Noun

With other past costumes ranging from Lady Godiva and Betty Boop to an ape, the supermodel never fails to keep us on our toes at the spookiest time of the year. —

Vogue, 18 Oct. 2024 Her first lower premolar was oval in shape and had a single cusp, like an ape’s. —

Donald C. Johanson, Scientific American, 15 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for ape

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ape

Verb

Paul Barrett: Zuckerberg Is Appeasing Trump Zuckerberg is imitating Musk to curry favor with Trump.

Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 9 Jan. 2025
However, just months after their characters shared their first kiss in 2019's in Spider-Man: Far from Home, life imitated art for the pair.

Erin Clack, People.com, 6 Jan. 2025