Synonyms of mimic

mimic 1 of 3

verb

1

as in to imitate

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

the comedian was famous for mimicking the President's distinctive lisp

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

2

as in to emulate

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

began to learn their language by mimicking the sounds they made

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

mimic

2 of 3

adjective

1

as in simulated

being such in appearance only and made with or manufactured from usually cheaper materials

police were concerned that the mimic gun, although intended only as a toy, might be confused with the real thing in certain situations

Synonyms & Similar Words

• simulated
• synthetic
• faux
• artificial
• fake
• imitation
• dummy
• mock
• imitative
• false
• manufactured
• substitute
• pretend
• ersatz
• designer
• factitious
• counterfeit
• bogus
• sham
• process
• engineered
• manipulated
• man-made
• deceptive
• fabricated
• cultured
• forged
• concocted
• pseudo
• misleading
• unauthentic
• adulterated
• fraudulent
• doctored
• affected
• phoney
• feigned
• phony
• juggled
• fudged
• spurious
• tampered (with)
• pinchbeck
• brummagem

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• real
• natural
• genuine
• true
• legitimate
• bona fide
• authentic
• valuable
• quality
• pure
• premium
• unadulterated

2

as in imitative

using or marked by the use of something else as a basis or model

a mimic battle fought by kids playing around in the schoolyard

Synonyms & Similar Words

• imitative
• imitation
• mock
• emulative
• mimetic
• copied
• misleading
• deceptive
• formulaic
• slavish
• apish
• canned
• false
• simulated
• unoriginal
• fraudulent
• synthetic
• artificial
• epigonic
• fake
• epigonous
• substitute
• reproduced
• counterfeit
• duplicated
• sham
• factitious
• transcribed
• forged
• reduplicated
• bogus
• plagiarized
• cribbed
• routine
• backup
• photocopied
• uninspired
• man-made
• perfunctory
• cut-and-dried
• cut-and-dry

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• original
• true
• real
• legitimate
• bona fide
• authentic
• natural
• archetypal
• genuine
• archetypical
• ideal
• classic
• model

mimic

3 of 3

noun

ˈmi-mik 

1

as in imitator

a person who imitates another's voice and mannerisms for comic effect

a gifted mimic who can do a terrific imitation of anyone's voice

Synonyms & Similar Words

• imitator
• performer
• personator
• actor
• impressionist
• impersonator
• entertainer
• parodist
• mime
• mocker
• echo
• copycat
• parrot
• pantomime
• pantomimist
• burlesquer
• caricaturist
• rubber stamp
• satirist
• mimer
• player
• lampooner
• mummer
• ape
• trouper

2

as in mime

an actor in a story performed silently and entirely by body movements

a mimic in black clothes and white facial makeup

Synonyms & Similar Words

• mime
• performer
• pantomime
• clown
• pantomimist
• entertainer
• mummer
• player
• imitator
• impressionist
• impersonator
• aper
• busker
• trouper
• pantaloon

Synonym Chooser

How is the word mimic distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of mimic are ape, copy, imitate, and mock. While all these words mean "to make something so that it resembles an existing thing," mimic implies a close copying (as of voice or mannerism) often for fun, ridicule, or lifelike imitation.

pupils mimicking their teacher

Where would ape be a reasonable alternative to mimic?

While in some cases nearly identical to mimic, ape may suggest presumptuous, slavish, or inept imitating of a superior original.

American fashion designers aped their European colleagues

When would copy be a good substitute for mimic?

The words copy and mimic can be used in similar contexts, but copy suggests duplicating an original as nearly as possible.

copied the painting and sold the fake as an original

When could imitate be used to replace mimic?

The meanings of imitate and mimic largely overlap; however, imitate suggests following a model or a pattern but may allow for some variation.

imitate a poet's style

In what contexts can mock take the place of mimic?

In some situations, the words mock and mimic are roughly equivalent. However, mock usually implies imitation with derision.

mocking a vain man's pompous manner

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of mimic

Verb

Cybercriminals have adopted machine learning and AI to revolutionize their tactics, employing tools that automate reconnaissance, craft hyper-realistic phishing emails and mimic trusted voices or identities. —Jeremy Dodson, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025

Cows, sheep, and other livestock are allowed to roam freely in pastures that mimic natural environments.5 This is believed to be healthier for the animals and produce more nutrient-dense meat and milk. —Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, Rdn, Ld, Health, 24 Feb. 2025

Adjective

For most of the world, the virus went its way, mutating cleverly, with the weird mimic intelligence of microorganisms. —Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 19 Feb. 2024

Or a cautionary tale, a mimic man whom Western letters seduced, then rejected and disgraced? —Julian Lucas, The New Yorker, 11 Sep. 2023

Noun

One part of his game that was top notch was his celebration — arms wide in a perfect mimic of Jude Bellingham’s goal celebration following his miracle overhead kick for England last Sunday. —Matthew Futterman, The Athletic, 5 July 2024

Meanwhile, getting what her heart most desires, Ariana Grande steps into the Glinda role originated by Kristin Chenoweth, proving a talented mimic of the Broadway star’s singing style but a slightly stiffer presence on-screen. —Peter Debruge, Variety, 19 Nov. 2024