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 The United States and others are imitating China in large part because China succeeded in a way that was unexpected. Michael B. G. Froman, Foreign Affairs, 25 Mar. 2025 Moreover, these models can imitate individuals' or industries' writing styles and wording. Kevin Korte, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025 This is how and why cinema could shatter the Aristotelian unities, resurrect orality in the age of literacy, and become the technological medium par excellence imitated by new mediums like video games and VR. Big Think, 8 Apr. 2025 At the end of the 19th century, the Second Industrial Revolution created a class of ultra-wealthy Americans who sought to imitate European royalty and their tradition of patronage. Joanna Dee Das, The Conversation, 4 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for imitate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for imitate
Verb
  • Designed to emulate one of Ford’s studies, with a fireplace and a collection of artifacts and books, the bar offers local beers and craft cocktails named for the Vagabonds’ adventures, such as the Georgia Bound (made with gin, peach, honey, and rosemary) and the Smoky Trail, a mezcal mule.
    Devorah Lev-Tov, AFAR Media, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Gibbs-White will do incredibly well to emulate De Bruyne’s level of production.
    Thom Harris, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Silent comedies are often parodied as mere exercises in physical humor — and that element is certainly a part of their charm — but Chaplin’s work transcended pratfalls and knowing looks to the camera.
    Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Letterman, a true believer in Johnny Carson, didn’t really parody talk shows either.
    Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 17 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • An online fundraiser for the women's coalition reproduced a letter from the Archewell Foundation, which the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, part of the USA TODAY Network, independently verified.
    Sophie Carson, USA Today, 21 Apr. 2025
  • Consider throwing away: Duplicates of receipts or those records that can be easily reproduced.
    Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Feel free to copy and paste it to your pre-baby-meeting group chats, or use it as a jumping off point for your own personal message.
    Beth Ann Mayer, Parents, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Henrique then copied and pasted his Notepad notes into Copilot.
    Michael Muchmore, PC Magazine, 6 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Constance, the policy consultant, says his 29-year-old daughter had joined other liberal family members in mocking him over his participation in NatalCon.
    Meena Duerson, CNN Money, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Altman mocked Musk by making a counter-offer to buy X for $9.7 billion.
    Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 10 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • He’s had a career season for Sacramento and will need to replicate it for the Kings to return to the postseason.
    Kambui Bomani, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
  • This groundbreaking robot uses advanced artificial intelligence to replicate natural gestures and deliberate actions with striking accuracy.
    Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report, FOXNews.com, 13 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • This behavior mimics their wild ancestors, who would ambush prey from above or perch in trees to avoid danger.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Apr. 2025
  • For example, might the animals mimic the noise to ask for the object?
    Melissa Hobson, Scientific American, 14 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Here’s hoping these two titans of the game meet one more time in the postseason before they’re done.
    Josh Yohe, New York Times, 18 Apr. 2025
  • But another South Florida spot did: Itamae Ao, a Nikkei-style Peruvian-Japanese spot in Miami, earned its first Michelin star.
    Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 18 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Imitate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imitate. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.

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