ape 1 of 3

as in to imitate
to use (someone or something) as the model for one's speech, mannerisms, or behavior was caught aping the substitute teacher's thick accent

Synonyms & Similar Words

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ape

2 of 3

adjective

ape

3 of 3

noun

Synonym Chooser

How is the word ape distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of ape are copy, imitate, mimic, and mock. While all these words mean "to make something so that it resembles an existing thing," ape may suggest presumptuous, slavish, or inept imitating of a superior original.

American fashion designers aped their European colleagues

When is it sensible to use copy instead of ape?

The words copy and ape 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

Where would imitate be a reasonable alternative to ape?

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

imitate a poet's style

When might mimic be a better fit than ape?

The words mimic and ape are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, mimic implies a close copying (as of voice or mannerism) often for fun, ridicule, or lifelike imitation.

pupils mimicking their teacher

When could mock be used to replace ape?

While the synonyms mock and ape are close in meaning, mock usually implies imitation with derision.

mocking a vain man's pompous manner

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 ape
Verb
But now the world’s gorillas, and also their great-ape cousins, the chimpanzees, bonobos and orang-utans, face another threat from their human neighbours: covid-19. The Economist, 16 May 2020 Walking upright on two legs is considered a human trait that separates us from our ape relatives, like chimpanzees, gorillas and orangutans. Ashley Strickland, CNN, 2 Apr. 2020
Adjective
At that point, however, society had already come to believe largely inaccurate ideas about ape society. Rj MacKenzie, Popular Science, 28 Aug. 2025 Australopithecus species walked upright much like modern humans, but had relatively small brains, closer in size to those of apes. Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2025
Noun
All of the hallmarks that made the group such a force in the Seventies and Eighties — the irresistible melodies, the spark-up-and-chill vibes, those voices — are present here, without any trace of aping the past. Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 6 June 2025 When one genre becomes successful, other developers ape that aesthetic, and that creates deja vu projects that feel like an experience gamers have played before. Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 30 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for ape
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ape
Verb
  • Advanced adversaries are now using generative AI to construct deepfake biometrics, complete PII profiles with believable digital histories and even replicate consistent interaction patterns that imitate human behavior.
    Rohan Pinto, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
  • In the image, the president is also backdropped by a city beach covered with fire and smoke, seemingly imitating an active war zone.
    Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Sydney Reuters — Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles said on Sunday that the United States would be able to use planned defense facilities in Western Australia to help deliver submarines under the AUKUS nuclear submarine deal.
    CNN Money, CNN Money, 14 Sep. 2025
  • The nuclear bombers that flew to Poland around close to their airspace, and then these strikes up in the Arctic.
    ABC News, ABC News, 14 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • That the officiant would be a giant anthropoid jar of mayo named Manny Mayo was actually too good to be true.
    Heather Schroering, Bon Appetit Magazine, 6 Aug. 2025
  • By never breaking the anthropoid conceit — keeping Williams a chimp from working-class childhood obscurity to adult pop-stardom — Better Man evolves into the most honest and exploratory showbiz movie ever made.
    Armond White, National Review, 10 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • With its left hand outstretched, the robot used it to maintain balance while accurately playing shots, emulating human beings.
    Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Thoughtful details went into the design, such as a grand entrance with a narrowing tunnel that emulates the dramatic walk into a world-class stadium.
    Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Rideshare posers have also allegedly raped passengers.
    Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 11 Aug. 2025
  • This was a bit of a poser for planetary scientists.
    David Szondy July 27, New Atlas, 27 July 2025
Noun
  • After World War I, fur remained a status garment, though lower-cost furs like skunk, mole, and musquash entered mainstream winter wear.
    Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Around 75% of Americans are exposed to raccoons, skunks and foxes — the very wildlife that commonly spread the fatal disease to humans, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
    Shiv Sudhakar, FOXNews.com, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Then copy and paste the selection into a text file, note or email.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 9 Sep. 2025
  • But Sally remembers her uncanny skill at copying other artists’ work, down to the finest details.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • This has unintended consequences when both Batel and Spock share a vision that sends Spock into a berserk rage.
    Keith Phipps, Vulture, 31 July 2025
  • But that was before Watkins suffered a season-ending ACL tear and before UConn star Paige Bueckers went absolutely berserk, scoring 40 in the Sweet 16.
    Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Ape.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ape. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.

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