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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

Example 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
Keep a copy of the original form and all correspondence with the issuer for your records, the agency said. Medora Lee, USA TODAY, 18 Mar. 2025 In addition to this rigorous first-person testing, our WWD Shop beauty editors have also conducted market research, read many a customer review, examined ingredient lists beyond marketing copy, and otherwise verified the legitimacy of the products’ claims. Stacia Datskovska, WWD, 18 Mar. 2025
Verb
Most recently, Democrats were slammed for essentially copying and pasting the same exact message regarding the continuing resolution. Rachel Schilke, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 14 Mar. 2025 Rather than needing to copy and paste passwords from your password manager to other apps (which puts your password on the clipboard at least for a moment), 1Password is integrated with many apps and can autofill. Scott Gilbertson, WIRED, 13 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for copy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for copy
Noun
  • Ryan pointed to a Model T 100, a reproduction done of the Ford Model T done in 2003 for the 100th anniversary of the company.
    Jamie L. LaReau, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Second, how do social groups affect individual survival and reproduction – in other words, what group traits are under selection?
    Conner Philson, The Conversation, 27 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • This phenomenon, called multilevel selection, is an extension of natural selection: the process by which organisms with traits better suited to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce.
    Conner Philson, The Conversation, 27 Mar. 2025
  • The results clearly reproduced a similar pattern to earlier research.
    Samuel Axon, ArsTechnica, 27 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • It’s been imitated to death by lesser films in the years that followed, but this first appearance still has a disarming spark.
    Keith Phipps, Vulture, 19 Mar. 2025
  • With over 100,000 followers on Instagram, her inspiring style has been often imitated, but never replicated.
    Dan Howarth, Architectural Digest, 17 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • One approach would be to ramp up artificial neural networks to the level of being an exact replica of a human brain.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025
  • Mark Rober, who has over 65 million subscribers on YouTube, tested the vehicle's autonomous cameras by driving at a screen with an exact replica of the road behind it, in the style of a Looney Tunes sketch.
    David Faris, Newsweek, 17 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • But the seven-time world champion was unable to replicate that performance in qualifying as McLaren’s Piastri secured his maiden pole with Hamilton qualifying fifth.
    Luke Smith, The Athletic, 22 Mar. 2025
  • From models like Gigi Hadid and Kendall Jenner, to actors like Gabrielle Union and Katie Holmes, these eight stylish stars below offer a variety of styling tips that are easy to replicate.
    Christian Allaire, Vogue, 21 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Few arguing against a consumerist society appear to be willing to emulate them, yet many often draw a line between wasteful consumption and necessary goods.
    Michael Lynch, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
  • In February Brown dyed her hair from golden brown to platinum blonde and began emulating the voluminous hairstyles of ’90s icons like Pamela Anderson and Jessica Simpson, with the red carpet outfits to match.
    Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 26 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • There is no reason to say that the current challenges render AI’s implementation impossible.
    William Tarr, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
  • That renders every emotional moment (what made the original Lion King so terrific) utterly lifeless.
    Barry Levitt, TIME, 21 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Much like George repeating his intern year, this season was kind of spinning its wheels.
    Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 27 Mar. 2025
  • Asked Monday about the letters, a spokesperson for the Chinese embassy repeated Mao’s statement.
    Dan Belson, Baltimore Sun, 27 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Copy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/copy. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.

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