Definition of reproductionnext

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun reproduction differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of reproduction are copy, duplicate, facsimile, and replica. While all these words mean "a thing made to closely resemble another," reproduction implies an exact or close imitation of an existing thing.

reproductions from the museum's furniture collection

When might copy be a better fit than reproduction?

In some situations, the words copy and reproduction are roughly equivalent. However, copy applies especially to one of a number of things reproduced mechanically.

printed 1000 copies of the lithograph

When would duplicate be a good substitute for reproduction?

The meanings of duplicate and reproduction largely overlap; however, duplicate implies a double or counterpart exactly corresponding to another thing.

a duplicate of a house key

When could facsimile be used to replace reproduction?

The synonyms facsimile and reproduction are sometimes interchangeable, but facsimile suggests a close reproduction often of graphic matter that may differ in scale.

a facsimile of a rare book

Where would replica be a reasonable alternative to reproduction?

While the synonyms replica and reproduction are close in meaning, replica implies the exact reproduction of a particular item in all details, but not always in the same scale.

a replica of the Mayflower
miniature replicas of classic cars

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 reproduction The science of human reproduction in microgravity is sparser, for perhaps obvious reasons. Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 26 May 2026 Rooms are done in rich fabrics in warm earth tones and dressed up with elements of local design, such as reproductions of Pavel Janak’s angular Cubist timber chairs and elegant chaise longues from designer Adolf Loos. Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 May 2026 The screen has a wide color gamut and is calibrated for the reproduction of accurate colors with an Average Delta E of <1. Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 24 May 2026 The report’s authors estimated that, before mitigation measures such as patient isolation were initiated, the virus’s reproduction number was above two, meaning that each infected person spread the virus to more than two others. Dhruv Khullar, New Yorker, 24 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for reproduction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reproduction
Noun
  • Cloud platforms provide services from microtasks like data labelling to freelance design and copy-editing.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 May 2026
  • In the row behind him was Jameson’s favorite masked menace, reading a copy of the Daily Bugle.
    Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 27 May 2026
Noun
  • In Nigerian churches, fans hoisted aloft replica trophies at thanksgiving prayer services.
    Lauren Frayer, NPR, 29 May 2026
  • Officers detained many of the people in the fight after chasing them down and later found the replica Glock gun, police said.
    Rick Hurd, Mercury News, 29 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Reproduction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reproduction. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.

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