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 There’s a combination of reproduction, mid-century, and ’70s lights and antique lights bought off the internet. Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 6 Feb. 2025 That means these sharks may be investing less energy in reproduction, potentially leading to fewer successful pregnancies. Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025 But the science of menopause is considerably more recent, dating to the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, when physicians in Europe began to research the effects of chemicals secreted by the body which control reproduction. Rebecca Mead, The New Yorker, 3 Mar. 2025 The scientists found varying miRNA profiles in their animal samples, suggesting that these plant molecules also play an important function at different stages of life – such as in reproduction and development – but much more research is needed in this area. New Atlas, 27 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for reproduction

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Cite this Entry

“Reproduction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reproduction. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

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