Synonyms of imitate

imitate

verb

ˈi-mə-ˌtāt 

1

as in to emulate

to use (someone or something) as the model for one's speech, mannerisms, or behavior

teenage musicians who imitate whichever rock stars are hot

Synonyms & Similar Words

• emulate
• copy
• mimic
• repeat
• mock
• ape
• mime
• parody
• echo
• perform
• play
• copycat
• caricature
• impersonate
• ditto
• lampoon
• reecho
• burlesque
• pantomime
• travesty

2

as in to parody

to copy or exaggerate (someone or something) in order to make fun of

imitating someone's stutter and laughing at them is a cruel thing to do

Synonyms & Similar Words

• parody
• mock
• do
• mimic
• spoof
• emulate
• caricature
• simulate
• send up
• reproduce
• perform
• play
• burlesque
• pretend
• ridicule
• replicate
• satirize
• deride
• travesty
• lampoon
• enhance
• duplicate
• personate
• act
• parrot
• ape
• exaggerate
• feign
• gibe
• jibe
• embellish
• elaborate
• monkey
• dissemble
• counterfeit
• fake
• stretch
• amplify
• embroider
• impersonate
• copycat
• overstate
• mime
• magnify
• expand
• pad
• play up
• sham
• flesh (out)
• pasquinade
• enlarge (on or upon)
• put on
• pantomime
• overdraw

3

as in to reproduce

to make an exact likeness of

a second-rate artist who was notorious for imitating the works of other painters

Synonyms & Similar Words

• reproduce
• replicate
• copy
• render
• duplicate
• clone
• reconstruct
• simulate
• copycat
• mimic
• reduplicate
• forge
• counterfeit
• fake
• rip off
• re-create
• knock off

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• create
• originate
• imagine
• initiate
• invent

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

Recent Examples of imitate

Van Sant’s movie was in the works and started shooting before that happened but feels like art imitating life both past and present, as this story was actually set in 1977 and based on a true incident that became quite infamous at the time. —Pete Hammond, Deadline, 2 Sep. 2025

Paul fears art imitating life by also boiling down to breadline survival strategies. —Guy Lodge, Variety, 29 Aug. 2025

Many newcomers have been accused of imitating jaydes and wifiskeleton, who, like XXXTentacion before them, began in the rap underworld before turning to tears-and-terror rock. —Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 27 Aug. 2025

The ceiling itself moves with fluid lines, imitating the waves of the sea nearby. —Ludovica Stevan, Architectural Digest, 24 Aug. 2025