Synonym Chooser

How is the word imitate distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of imitate are ape, copy, mimic, and mock. While all these words mean "to make something so that it resembles an existing thing," imitate suggests following a model or a pattern but may allow for some variation.

imitate a poet's style

When is ape a more appropriate choice than imitate?

The words ape and imitate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, ape may suggest presumptuous, slavish, or inept imitating of a superior original.

American fashion designers aped their European colleagues

Where would copy be a reasonable alternative to imitate?

The synonyms copy and imitate are sometimes interchangeable, but copy suggests duplicating an original as nearly as possible.

copied the painting and sold the fake as an original

When is it sensible to use mimic instead of imitate?

The words mimic and imitate can be used in similar contexts, but 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 imitate?

The meanings of mock and imitate largely overlap; however, mock usually implies imitation with derision.

mocking a vain man's pompous manner

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 imitate News The TikTok video shows some Democratic lawmakers imitating the selection screen in a fighting video game by posing in a combat stance while text lists their fighter attributes. Jackson Walker, Baltimore Sun, 6 Mar. 2025 Munn shared that the motion is a fidget of Mulaney's that Malcolm has learned to imitate. Hannah Sacks, People.com, 12 Mar. 2025 Younger narwhals also tended to imitate the behavior of older ones, indicating that social learning could influence how narwhals use their tusks, according to the study. Julianna Bragg, CNN, 8 Mar. 2025 Of course, then, life later imitated art with tech bigwigs trying to use something similar to Johansson‘s voice to equip an LLM. John Werner, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for imitate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for imitate
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
  • On platforms such as TikTok and YouTube, creators build personal brands off parodying celebrities and constructing elaborate takedowns of what’s in the mainstream.
    Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 2 Mar. 2025
  • In response, several unofficial accounts that parodied the National Park Service sprung up, including the Alt National Park Service.
    Greta Cross, USA TODAY, 27 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • The results clearly reproduced a similar pattern to earlier research.
    Samuel Axon, ArsTechnica, 27 Mar. 2025
  • 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
Verb
  • Not to be redistributed, copied, or modified in any way.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 1 Apr. 2025
  • In his first-ever YouTube video, Sean Frank—the CEO of wallet brand Ridge—unpacks what most CMOs would consider proprietary gold: exactly how he’s spent over $10 million on influencer marketing, what worked, what didn’t, and how other brands can copy his playbook.
    Ian Shepherd, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The plans, mocked up by Populous, include a sky bar overlooking the pitch, a stadium roof-walk experience, a 3,000-capacity fan zone, a 400-bed hotel (part of the Radisson group), a new club shop and museum.
    Tom Burrows, The Athletic, 23 Mar. 2025
  • Social media trends come and go, but one craze that appears to have outstayed its welcome is the desire to mock millennials (people born between 1981 and 1996).
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 20 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
  • Moving Racks for Better Yield: The strawberries transition seamlessly between warmth during the day and cooler temperatures at night, mimicking natural conditions and increasing annual production.
    Chrissy Tracey, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025
  • Designers are quick to spot—and avoid—materials that mimic luxury but fall flat.
    Lauren Jones, Southern Living, 23 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • This was the best of both creative stimulating worlds, essentially doing a play on screen.
    Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 23 Mar. 2025
  • In the intervening years, questions swirled around the 24-year-old's killing — and so did speculation.
    Sean Neumann, People.com, 23 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Imitate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imitate. Accessed 5 Apr. 2025.

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