Synonyms of ape

ape 1 of 3

verb

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

• imitate
• emulate
• copy
• mimic
• mock
• mime
• repeat
• parody
• echo
• copycat
• play
• caricature
• perform
• burlesque
• ditto
• pantomime
• lampoon
• impersonate
• reecho
• travesty

ape

2 of 3

adjective

as in nuclear

Related Words

• nuclear
• berserk
• demented
• ballistic
• psycho
• psychotic
• maniacal
• crazed
• mad
• deranged
• mental
• fey
• bananas
• daft
• loopy
• loco
• non compos mentis
• insane
• nuts
• unbalanced
• nutty
• batty
• amok
• unhinged
• potty
• aberrant
• brainsick
• bats
• unsound
• eccentric
• dotty
• off
• delirious
• disordered
• delusional
• oddball
• bonkers
• foolish
• disturbed
• witless
• strange
• wud
• irrational
• delusionary
• pixilated
• queer
• crazy
• teched
• unreasonable
• senseless
• odd
• touched
• frantic
• frenzied
• depressed
• distraught
• wigged-out
• hysterical
• raving
• distracted

Dissimilar Words

• rational
• reasonable
• normal
• clear
• wise
• sensible
• lucid
• judicious
• healthy
• sound
• sane
• well-adjusted
• balanced
• compos mentis
• unneurotic
• uncrazy

ape

3 of 3

noun

1

as in aper

Related Words

• aper
• poser
• imitator
• actor
• mime
• pantomime
• masker
• impressionist
• ham
• mimic
• masquerader
• pantomimist
• personator

2

as in anthropoid

Related Words

• anthropoid
• skunk
• brute
• clown
• snake
• louse
• villain
• boor
• idiot
• cad
• stupid
• imbecile
• ignoramus
• heel
• cretin
• moron
• creep
• know-nothing
• cur
• beast
• donkey
• mutt
• blockhead
• hammerhead
• lunkhead
• dullard
• stinker
• dolt
• golem
• simpleton
• bonehead
• dimwit
• dodo
• stupe
• pinhead
• dunce
• blunderer
• dumbhead
• dumbbell
• numskull
• tyke
• knucklehead
• galoot
• madman
• airhead
• dummy
• loon
• dunderhead
• jackass
• goon
• loony
• dope
• noodle
• booby
• ninny
• goof
• hardhead
• meathead
• goose
• cluck
• dip
• simp
• prat
• churl
• saphead
• birdbrain
• nincompoop
• bubblehead
• loggerhead
• noddy
• nimrod
• gander
• doofus
• clunk
• dummkopf
• schnook
• chucklehead
• fathead
• fool
• deadhead
• nitwit
• schlub
• stock
• yahoo
• dim bulb
• dork
• mome
• ninnyhammer
• ratbag
• cuddy
• half-wit
• lamebrain
• chowderhead
• nit
• slouch
• woodenhead
• dum-dum
• thickhead
• clot
• nut
• clodpoll
• chump
• loser
• yo-yo
• turkey
• scatterbrain
• schlemiel
• rascal
• featherbrain
• Neanderthal
• hulk
• mug
• rogue
• scamp
• oaf
• lout
• palooka
• lug
• lubber
• gawk
• clodhopper
• clod
• lump

Dissimilar Words

• brain
• intellectual
• genius
• sage
• thinker
• wizard
• whiz
• brainiac

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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of ape

Verb

The re-enactments, which include bomb-making and transportation, as well as the three-pronged plan to escape, have a flavor that calls to mind ’70s heist and spy films, accompanied by Michael James Lee’s jaunty, genre-aping score. —Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 13 Mar. 2026

In 1685, Giovanni Borelli, the Italian physicist, foresaw a world where machines driven by pulleys could ape the actions of animals. —Kamal Ahmed, Fortune, 12 Mar. 2026

Noun

They were listed in 2015 as critically endangered IUCN's Red List of Threatened Species but critically depleted as of 2023, and considered the world's rarest ape and primate by the ZSL. —Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 16 Feb. 2026

But now, a series of tea parties with an ape named Kanzi suggests some of our closest ancestors may have this ability too. —Suzanne Nuyen, NPR, 11 Feb. 2026