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copy

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verb

1
as in to reproduce
to make an exact likeness of for the movie, set designers copied the Oval Office in the White House down to the smallest detail

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in to imitate
to use (someone or something) as the model for one's speech, mannerisms, or behavior she shamelessly copies her idol's hairstyle and fashion choices

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun copy differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of copy are duplicate, facsimile, replica, and reproduction. While all these words mean "a thing made to closely resemble another," copy applies especially to one of a number of things reproduced mechanically.

printed 1000 copies of the lithograph

When might duplicate be a better fit than copy?

While the synonyms duplicate and copy are close in meaning, duplicate implies a double or counterpart exactly corresponding to another thing.

a duplicate of a house key

When would facsimile be a good substitute for copy?

The words facsimile and copy can be used in similar contexts, but facsimile suggests a close reproduction often of graphic matter that may differ in scale.

a facsimile of a rare book

Where would replica be a reasonable alternative to copy?

Although the words replica and copy have much in common, replica implies the exact reproduction of a particular item in all details, but not always in the same scale.

a replica of the Mayflower
miniature replicas of classic cars

In what contexts can reproduction take the place of copy?

The words reproduction and copy are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, reproduction implies an exact or close imitation of an existing thing.

reproductions from the museum's furniture collection

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 copy
Noun
Details: The cease-fire would start with a six-week phase involving the release of 33 hostages and hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, as well as the entry into Gaza each day of 600 trucks carrying humanitarian relief, according to a copy of the agreement. Natasha Frost, New York Times, 17 Jan. 2025 Her books have been sold in almost 20 countries with more than 1 million copies sold to date. Justin Kroll, Deadline, 17 Jan. 2025
Verb
The papyrus is dated circa 1550 BCE, with parts of it copied from even earlier texts. Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 12 Jan. 2025 It was posted long enough for screenshots to speed through neighbors’ text message chains and for the text to be copied onto neighborhood Ring camera chat groups and the Watch Duty app. Hailey Branson-Potts, Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for copy 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for copy
Noun
  • Lending pandas to zoos across the U.S. and other countries also encourages reproduction and helps save the giant pandas from extinction.
    Jennifer Borresen, USA TODAY, 24 Jan. 2025
  • Inside, there’s a photomechanical reproduction on gold of Eisenhower’s husband, President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
    Tori Latham, Robb Report, 24 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Over generations, the pair have become so intertwined that now the fungus can’t reproduce without its endosymbiont.
    Molly Herring, WIRED, 26 Jan. 2025
  • In light of these challenges, perhaps there's a way to reproduce the observed features of the universe without needing an inflaton.
    Paul Sutter, Space.com, 19 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • But in non-biotech emerging industries, many billion-dollar entrepreneurs imitated the product but improved on the strategy.
    Dileep Rao, Forbes, 20 Jan. 2025
  • This Is Us star Milo Ventimiglia visits remains of his home lost in L.A. fire: 'Life imitating art' Garner indicated that her residence is still standing but that countless friends have lost their houses over the past week.
    Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 11 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • The elaborate queue for the ride is set in a bank vault but the real highlight is right outside where there's a mini replica of Fremont Street in Sin City.
    Caroline Reid, Forbes, 18 Jan. 2025
  • The highly accurate set comes with a replica of the stylish three-story house, every floor brimming with rooms and accessories inspired by key scenes from across the franchise, including Edward’s bedroom and the grand piano in the living room.
    Gil Macias, People.com, 16 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The initiative has since been replicated around Brazil and Latin America.
    Talya Minsberg, New York Times, 21 Jan. 2025
  • Over the past five decades the outdoor shopping center with a Hollywood clientele and a small town feel has been a beacon to developers who have replicated the model elsewhere in California and beyond, and an attractive destination for brands.
    Marissa Muller, WWD, 18 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • What To Watch For Large tech companies, like Meta and Microsoft, often serve as industry bellwethers, setting workforce and strategic trends that smaller companies and startups subsequently emulate.
    Jack Kelly, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025
  • Zaslav loves to emulate Disney corporate structures (i.e., Marvel has its Kevin Feige, DC has Gunn and Peter Safran) and that studio has one global distribution head (most recently Tony Chambers, who’s segueing to be the president of EMEA with a successor to be named).
    Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 15 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • This extended drought, exacerbated by Santa Ana winds, has rendered the landscape increasingly vulnerable.
    Chris Boyette and Michelle Watson, CNN, 20 Jan. 2025
  • Currently referred to as the IRS Independent Office of Appeals, this branch of the IRS listens to and weights taxpayer arguments and renders a decision that aims to be fair and impartial to both the government and the taxpayer.
    Matthew Roberts, Forbes, 20 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Meanwhile, Jost cautioned viewers about repeating a certain type of behavior on his own game show Pop Culture Jeopardy!
    Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 25 Jan. 2025
  • Importantly, the exact pattern of floor movements – including their amplitude and speed – can be repeated for each assessment session.
    Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 25 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near copy

Cite this Entry

“Copy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/copy. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

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