1
as in emulating
to use (someone or something) as the model for one's speech, mannerisms, or behavior
teenage musicians who imitate whichever rock stars are hot
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2
as in parodying
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
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3
as in copying
to make an exact likeness of
a second-rate artist who was notorious for imitating the works of other painters
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Recent Examples of imitating
The dog's posture in the viral clip is unsurprising because research has shown that canines are capable of imitating human actions.
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Dan Perry, Newsweek, 3 Jan. 2025
Art is imitating life for Jennifer Lopez.
—Jen Juneau, People.com, 2 Jan. 2025
Is this a case of art imitating life?
—Sydney Bucksbaum, EW.com, 27 Dec. 2024
In an unfortunate instance of life imitating art, the New York Times reported several cast members’ complaints of sleep deprivation, inadequate food, and even hospitalizations on the set of the off-brand competition.
—Judy Berman, TIME, 26 Dec. 2024
The former ended up winning a contest involving the most accurate predictions of the high-diving judges’ scores, and as much as this competition suggests that life is imitating art, Hoult insists that the two did not extend their on-camera dynamic to their off-camera one.
—Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Dec. 2024
Knightley said, before imitating her daughter shunning her from the dance floor at the disco.
—Latoya Gayle, People.com, 10 Dec. 2024
For Demi Moore, life is imitating art.
—Tommy McArdle, People.com, 4 Dec. 2024
Light teasing, such as joking about their favorite TV show or imitating their quirky habits, allows for shared laughter and connection.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024
Dan Perry, Newsweek, 3 Jan. 2025
Art is imitating life for Jennifer Lopez.
—Jen Juneau, People.com, 2 Jan. 2025
Is this a case of art imitating life?
—Sydney Bucksbaum, EW.com, 27 Dec. 2024
In an unfortunate instance of life imitating art, the New York Times reported several cast members’ complaints of sleep deprivation, inadequate food, and even hospitalizations on the set of the off-brand competition.
—Judy Berman, TIME, 26 Dec. 2024
The former ended up winning a contest involving the most accurate predictions of the high-diving judges’ scores, and as much as this competition suggests that life is imitating art, Hoult insists that the two did not extend their on-camera dynamic to their off-camera one.
—Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Dec. 2024
Knightley said, before imitating her daughter shunning her from the dance floor at the disco.
—Latoya Gayle, People.com, 10 Dec. 2024
For Demi Moore, life is imitating art.
—Tommy McArdle, People.com, 4 Dec. 2024
Light teasing, such as joking about their favorite TV show or imitating their quirky habits, allows for shared laughter and connection.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for imitating
Verb
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The Dune actor sported a blue beanie, a leather jacket, a plaid scarf, and an uncharacteristic ’stache, emulating Dylan’s 2003 appearance at the Sundance Film Festival for a screening of his film Masked and Anonymous.Rosana Lai, Glamour, 16 Dec. 2024
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The subtle hue is a delicate shade of green, emulating serenity and softness.Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Dec. 2024
Verb
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What sets Fay apart, too, is the harmonious amalgamation of characteristically Italian design with the sensibility of New England—and its earnest commitment not to appropriating or copying a certain aesthetic, but to embracing it authentically and blending it perfectly with Fay’s own design values.Caroline Reilly, Robb Report, 3 Jan. 2025
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Over time, the tradition gained cultural significance, and many started copying it in the hopes of a prosperous year ahead.George Monastiriakos, Newsweek, 31 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Quad’s grievances spill over into her relationship with Heavenly, which ties into Heavenly and Quad mocking Sweet Tea on social media.Shelby Stewart, Essence, 23 Dec. 2024
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Naturally, the Internet lost its mind, and the scene quickly went viral, with viewers mocking and/or sharing their disbelief at Sheridan's dialogue.Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 19 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Over the years, that evolved into doing complete residential interiors, and commercial work including multiple test and demonstration kitchen projects, and then product design.Arthur Zaczkiewicz, WWD, 31 Dec. 2024
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This year, the 50-year-old actress reemerged as a cleaning-supplies entrepreneur, and dished on why doing dishes is her happy place.Matt Craig, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Inspired by the challenge of replicating human-like precision in physical tasks, the team embarked on a journey to build a basketball-playing robot.Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report, Fox News, 27 Dec. 2024
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The team attached seven commercially available strain gauges to a flexible wing structure replicating hummingbird wings.Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 27 Dec. 2024
Verb
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This means that the color rendering under a light source should be as natural as possible compared to daylight.Desireé Oostland, Vogue, 31 Dec. 2024
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Some celebrities have been accused of operating pump-and-dump schemes with their coins, using their social media following to artificially inflate the value of these coins before cashing in their large holdings and rendering the coins worthless.Ben Dandridge-Lemco, Rolling Stone, 29 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near imitating
Cite this Entry
“Imitating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imitating. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
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