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Definition of mocknext
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mock

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adjective

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mock

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noun

Synonym Chooser

How is the word mock distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of mock are ape, copy, imitate, and mimic. While all these words mean "to make something so that it resembles an existing thing," mock usually implies imitation with derision.

mocking a vain man's pompous manner

When is ape a more appropriate choice than mock?

The synonyms ape and mock are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 mock?

While the synonyms copy and mock are close in meaning, copy suggests duplicating an original as nearly as possible.

copied the painting and sold the fake as an original

Where would imitate be a reasonable alternative to mock?

Although the words imitate and mock have much in common, imitate suggests following a model or a pattern but may allow for some variation.

imitate a poet's style

When is it sensible to use mimic instead of mock?

While in some cases nearly identical to mock, mimic implies a close copying (as of voice or mannerism) often for fun, ridicule, or lifelike imitation.

pupils mimicking their teacher

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 mock
Verb
Students occupied the building and hung banners with mocking quotations from Horkheimer. Alex Ross, New Yorker, 15 June 2026 Voila, Kansas City authorities go from being mocked to looking like the best of Scotland Yard. Kansas City Star, 15 June 2026
Adjective
Make sure to check out Vecenie’s latest mock draft with all the intel. Zach Harper, New York Times, 9 June 2026 His mock draft range has been all over the place, from the lottery to Denver’s territory. Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 9 June 2026
Noun
An offensive tackle may be in play, too, and Utah’s Spencer Fano is still available (in this mock, at least). Miami Herald, 22 Apr. 2026 In our first mock, edge rusher Zion Young from Missouri got the call. Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 21 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for mock
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mock
Verb
  • Their live performances in Sydney’s drag scene parodied hyper-masculinity and soon moved into artist-run spaces with installations and video works.
    Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 16 June 2026
  • The spoof comedy parodied 1970s disaster films and followed Hays' character, who must overcome his fear of flying to land a commercial jet when its crew and passengers become incapacitated by food poisoning.
    Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 12 June 2026
Verb
  • Professional opportunities were nearly nonexistent, and some were ridiculed for playing.
    Latif Love June 18, Kansas City Star, 18 June 2026
  • It was ridiculed by people outside the club and maybe that has something to do with it.
    George Caulkin, New York Times, 11 June 2026
Verb
  • Santana-Mateo was booked on charges of breach of peace, engaging police in a pursuit, disobeying the direction of officer, reckless driving, failure to obey a stop sign, failure to drive right, failure to obey a traffic control signal and driving the wrong way on a one way.
    Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 17 June 2026
  • In 2024, the agency claimed that X security staff sometimes had to pointedly disobey Musk in order to remain in compliance.
    Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 4 June 2026
Adjective
  • Much like the Juliette bag, this faux leather weekender from Wogarl combines style and functionality, with enough room to fit a week’s worth of clothing and a 21-inch laptop.
    Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 17 June 2026
  • The rooms feature Bianco Bianchi faux marble scagliola pieces, precious tapestries by artist Elena Carozzi, Impruneta terracotta flooring and bathrooms in Cipollino marble from Carrara.
    Andrea Onate, Footwear News, 16 June 2026
Adjective
  • Authorities say the operation powered fake websites built to steal credit card numbers, passwords and other personal information.
    Staff, FOXNews.com, 19 June 2026
  • None of that makes the project fake.
    Gabriel Alin Zainescu, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026
Noun
  • Their purpose was partly decorative and partly protective, but the visual joke became unavoidable.
    Peter Lyon, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026
  • The fierce woman who always wore black, who could light up a room with her sly jokes and smoky laughter, grew quieter and more fragile after losing her lover.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 18 June 2026
Noun
  • Initial negotiations between the United States and Iran are still expected to take place in the Swiss mountain resort of Bürgenstock on Friday, Switzerland’s foreign ministry said, after the US and Iran signed a copy of their agreement.
    Pamela Avila, CNN Money, 18 June 2026
  • In the tax filings, the nonprofit also noted that each member gets a copy of the document.
    Sooji Nam, CBS News, 17 June 2026
Verb
  • Those still carry weight, but many have become easier to acquire, finance, or imitate.
    Julian Hayes II, Forbes.com, 21 June 2026
  • Once the squid gather near the surface, lines fitted with bait are lowered into the water and rapidly jerked up and down to imitate small prey such as shrimp, triggering strikes before the catch is reeled aboard.
    Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 20 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Mock.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mock. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.

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