1
as in imitator
a person who adopts the appearance or behavior of another especially in an obvious way she prides herself on being an innovator in fashion, and not a mere copyist

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2
as in scribe
one who writes from dictation or copies manuscripts some scholars argue that the vexing passage reflects a misreading of the text by an early copyist

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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 copyist The watercolor was recently rejected by specialists in 2020, who believe the copyist worked from a photograph of the work that was first published in 1904. Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 4 Oct. 2024 In an effort to thwart copyists, together these purist designers showed after the scheduled Fashion Week—and this was back when editors were still sailing to Paris from New York. Laird Borrelli-Persson, Vogue, 16 Nov. 2023 As befits an artist who began her career working as a music copyist for famed Miles Davis collaborator Gil Evans, one of her key early mentors, Schneider composes with such skill, verve and clarity that her orchestra becomes a unique instrument of her own making. San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Feb. 2023 As previously announced, the 2022 Tony Honors for Excellence in the Theatre will be presented to the Asian American Performers Action Coalition (AAPAC); Broadway For All; music copyist, Emily Grishman; Feinstein’s/54 Below and United Scenic Artists, Local USA 829, IATSE. Paul Grein, Billboard, 9 May 2022 But her intention has been to draw inspiration and insight from each, without being a copyist. Jon Garelick, BostonGlobe.com, 11 Nov. 2022 Grishman is a music copyist for Broadway, Off-Broadway and regional theater, who works closely with composers, orchestrators and players. Abbey White, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 May 2022 Kane was married eight times, including to singer-actress Jaye P. Morgan, agent Carol Faith and lastly, in 1981, to the former JoAnn Johnson, a studio music copyist. Jon Burlingame, Variety, 23 June 2022 The copy of Doryphoros in question, believed to have been created between 27 B.C.E. and 68 C.E. by an unknown Roman copyist, was allegedly lost until the 1930s, when an individual discovered the statue in the waters off the coast of Italy. Jane Recker, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 May 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for copyist
Noun
  • Previous scribes on the Rey story included Damon Lindelof and Justin Britt-Gibson.
    Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 24 Jan. 2025
  • Eight women accused the 64-year-old British scribe of assault, abuse and coercion in an article published Monday.
    Nardine Saad, Los Angeles Times, 15 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Barrera, who starred in the fifth and sixth entries, was fired by Spyglass Media in November 2023 after directing social media followers to donate money to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East amid the Israel-Hamas War.
    J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 31 Jan. 2025
  • Colindres claims that her husband has never been in legal trouble and is a devoted follower of faith.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 30 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Yet absurdist echoes from her onetime status still chased her.
    Bill Wyman, Vulture, 30 Jan. 2025
  • Painful echoes of the pandemic abounded and parents glanced anxiously at one another during dropoff.
    Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 27 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near copyist

Cite this Entry

“Copyist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/copyist. Accessed 10 Feb. 2025.

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