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 maniac

Synonyms & Similar Words

• maniac
• berserk
• nuclear
• demented
• psychotic
• ballistic
• psycho
• mental
• crazed
• loony
• deranged
• lunatic
• cuckoo
• maniacal
• batty
• looney
• mad
• fey
• wacko
• daft
• daffy
• nuts
• whacky
• nutty
• bedlam
• loopy
• bananas
• gaga
• unhinged
• moonstruck
• non compos mentis
• dotty
• schizophrenic
• loco
• neurotic
• scatty
• amuck
• loony tunes
• insane
• schizoid
• unbalanced
• wacky
• meshuga
• meshuggah
• crackbrained
• cracked
• sociopathic
• kooky
• meshugah
• whacko
• screwy
• crackpot
• paranoid
• amok
• certifiable
• aberrant
• bughouse
• bats
• potty
• unsound
• brainsick
• barmy
• meshugge
• eccentric
• looney tunes
• delirious
• kookie
• disordered
• delusional
• delusionary
• off
• paranoic
• oddball
• tetched
• paranoiac
• paranoidal
• crazy
• bonkers
• fruity
• obsessive-compulsive
• disturbed
• witless
• foolish
• strange
• wud
• pixilated
• cranky
• irrational
• balmy
• haywire
• crackers
• touched
• pixillated
• teched
• queer
• senseless
• unreasonable
• odd
• hysteric
• frantic
• frenzied
• raving
• depressed
• distraught
• hysterical
• wigged-out
• distracted

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• 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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• nonactor

2

as in anthropoid

Synonyms & Similar Words

• anthropoid
• skunk
• brute
• tike
• clown
• snake
• louse
• villain
• boor
• idiot
• cad
• stupid
• imbecile
• natural
• ignoramus
• heel
• cretin
• moron
• creep
• know-nothing
• cur
• beast
• numbskull
• 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
• looney
• goof
• hardhead
• meathead
• lunatic
• goose
• cluck
• dip
• simp
• prat
• churl
• saphead
• birdbrain
• nincompoop
• bubblehead
• loggerhead
• noddy
• nimrod
• gander
• doofus
• clunk
• dummkopf
• schnook
• chucklehead
• fathead
• deadhead
• nitwit
• schlub
• stock
• yahoo
• dim bulb
• dork
• mome
• ninnyhammer
• fool
• ratbag
• clodpole
• cuddy
• shlub
• half-wit
• lamebrain
• chowderhead
• nit
• slouch
• cuddie
• woodenhead
• dum-dum
• thickhead
• clot
• clodpoll
• nut
• chump
• loser
• shlemiel
• turkey
• yo-yo
• scatterbrain
• schlemiel
• rascal
• featherbrain
• Neanderthal
• hulk
• mug
• rogue
• scamp
• oaf
• lout
• palooka
• lug
• lubber
• gawk
• clodhopper
• clod
• lump

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• 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

Here’s Why The GOP Is Divided Banner ads are fairly tame compared to hiding download links or aping a look and feel, but the theme remains consistent. —Zak Doffman, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025

Michael Nguyen / NurPhoto via Getty Images At home, Merz wants to slash regulatory red tape and corporate taxes while tightening Germany’s borders in what critics say is an attempt to ape his rivals on the hard right. —Alexander Smith, NBC News, 22 Feb. 2025

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

Their findings provide compelling evidence that the apes can infer someone’s ignorance and also act to help clear up the confusion. —Jack Tamisiea, Scientific American, 3 Feb. 2025

The team zeroed in on a group of 13 plants eaten by the apes that had little nutritional value but carried antibacterial and anti-inflammatory benefits. —Carlyn Kranking, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Dec. 2024