1
as in to emulate
to use (someone or something) as the model for one's speech, mannerisms, or behavior
teenage musicians who imitate whichever rock stars are hot
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in to parody
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to reproduce
to make an exact likeness of
a second-rate artist who was notorious for imitating the works of other painters
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of imitate
The undulating roofline imitates the Allegheny Mountains, and 38 steel columns create a canopy reminiscent of the region's forests, Prix Versailles says.
—
Madeline Bartos,
CBS News,
15 June 2026
As a 7-year-old, I’d entertain my father’s friends, at their weekly pickup game at a Bronx barn-house gymnasium, by imitating his game face—bottom lip jutting, eyes scowling.
—
Sean Gregory,
Time,
14 June 2026
My mother imitates me, then converts the word into a pair of Korean syllables that sound most like the German.
—
Esther Yi,
New Yorker,
14 June 2026
Beyond how-to books, the United States offered few means of studying art, few great paintings to imitate, and, thanks to American prudery, few chances to master the complex arrangements of human bodies considered indispensable to art’s most profound forms.
—
Susan Tallman,
The Atlantic,
13 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for imitate
Madeline Bartos,
CBS News,
15 June 2026
As a 7-year-old, I’d entertain my father’s friends, at their weekly pickup game at a Bronx barn-house gymnasium, by imitating his game face—bottom lip jutting, eyes scowling.
—
Sean Gregory,
Time,
14 June 2026
My mother imitates me, then converts the word into a pair of Korean syllables that sound most like the German.
—
Esther Yi,
New Yorker,
14 June 2026
Beyond how-to books, the United States offered few means of studying art, few great paintings to imitate, and, thanks to American prudery, few chances to master the complex arrangements of human bodies considered indispensable to art’s most profound forms.
—
Susan Tallman,
The Atlantic,
13 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for imitate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for imitate
Verb
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Outfits such as The Bespoke Retreat Company, The Nest in Cornwall and Wales’ Coach House Retreat have emulated the solo aspect.
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The driveway boys emulated everybody on those rosters.
Verb
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Comedy Central's South Park later parodied Mencia's reputation for taking credit for jokes that weren't his.
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Their live performances in Sydney’s drag scene parodied hyper-masculinity and soon moved into artist-run spaces with installations and video works.
Verb
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In organisms that reproduce via the union of types—this group also includes yeasts and slime molds—partners are functionally equivalent and the exchange of genetic material is symmetrical, an arrangement called isogamy.
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Under what’s called the sterile insect technique, the government breeds male screwworm flies that can’t reproduce, then releases them into the wild.
Verb
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It may get bought, sold, copied and refreshed.
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Don’t ignore Apple, of course, but don’t try to copy them either—what’s sells MacBooks isn’t necessarily what sells PCs.
Verb
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Within a couple of hours, Wilkins’ replies to the post were flooded with accusations of favoritism, questioning the use of taxpayer funds to book her and mocking her sincerity about being chosen as a performer following high-profile exits from the event.
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The 19-year-old was mocked as a late first-round, early second-round selection.
Verb
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Use warm air and UV rays outside to naturally disinfect fabrics, make white clothes brighter, and get rid of musty odors, all while leaving behind a unique scent from fresh air that can’t be replicated in the dryer.
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Developed with leading academics and defense experts, including Sky News' Deborah Haynes, the series replicates high-level political decision-making pressure.
Verb
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There's that fish net aspect in there, the ruffles to mimic the coral, the pearls.
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Scientists agree some types of plastic can mimic fat, in particular in the brain, and that standardized methods are needed to sample and analyze plastic bits in the body.
Verb
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Events already relocating elsewhere Davis said the delay has already forced nine events to move and could push as many as 30 more to do the same in 2030.
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It’s meant to go with the flow of kids’ pacing, which may mean spending a whole hour at a splash pad or being done after just a few experiences.
Cite this Entry
“Imitate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imitate. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
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