ape 1 of 3

verb

Definition of apenext
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

as in nuclear

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Dissimilar Words

ape

3 of 3

noun

1
as in aper

Related Words
2
as in anthropoid

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Dissimilar Words

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 if getting Andy back in the Runway fold feels a lot like getting her into it in the first film, that feeling will only persist, as the sequel apes the original feature nearly beat for beat, with some small swaps here and there. — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 29 Apr. 2026 There’s a word for this type of storytelling, and Taccone deserves credit for delivering a superior version of this without outright aping its most famous practitioner. — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 24 Apr. 2026
Noun
While Limbani prepared for the move, Lee stopped by to give the young ape a personal drumming performance. — Kelli Bender, PEOPLE, 21 Aug. 2026 Jimmy Tatro will play Gorilla Grodd, the superintelligent ape and sometime Superman nemesis. — Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 21 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ape
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ape
  1. imitate
  2. nuclear
  3. poser
  4. anthropoid
  5. emulate
  6. berserk
  7. imitator
  8. skunk
Verb
  • The slow exchange with oxygen is imitated with micro-oxygenation technology — essentially, blowing bubbles through the wine.
    — Peter Hahn, Fortune, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Speaking of the oversized, the collection’s Handloom Cardigan fits the bill but spares you from imitating a balloon, courtesy of those vertical stripes (also known as the oldest optical trick in the fashion book).
    — Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of imitate
Adjective
  • Likewise, the Soviet Union conducted nuclear tests in space as part of Project K between 1961 and 1962.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 5 Oct. 2026
  • In this case, the approach allows Vistra to add hundreds of megawatts while continuing to use existing nuclear sites and infrastructure.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of nuclear
Noun
  • The new clip opens with Baron Cohen’s famous poser character reintroducing himself after 20 long years.
    — Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 25 Aug. 2026
  • The latest slang to capture the Gen Z zeitgeist is a way to say poser, try-hard or fraud.
    — Rachel Hale, USA Today, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of poser
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
  • The Chinese, conversely, have been convinced forc enturies that the entire rest of the world is inhabited by an alien species of lower anthropoid.
    — Jean Shepherd, Car and Driver, 18 Dec. 2022
Definition of anthropoid
Verb
  • Most Marylanders know that gerrymandering is wrong, and both polls show a majority of voters aren’t ready to emulate the bad behavior of other states and embrace gerrymandering.
    — Colin Pascal, Washington Post, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Horton showed up to his audition and instinctively tried to emulate Tanter’s signature baritone voice.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of emulate
Adjective
  • The small pockets of Egyptian fans in the stadium went absolutely berserk, jumping and ripping off their shirts as their team went bonkers below them.
    — Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 7 July 2026
  • When the Spurs locked down Brunson, or tried, the ball went elsewhere, zinging around the court, from player to player, as if in a berserk video game.
    — David Remnick, New Yorker, 14 June 2026
Definition of berserk
Noun
  • The Dadaists used this gleefully and compulsively (see René Clair and Francis Picabia’s wacky Entr’Acte); so, famously, did Hideo Nakata in Y2K hit The Ring and countless imitators.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 Sep. 2026
  • The account has amassed over 10,000 followers, inspiring imitator accounts.
    — Maddie Connors, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of imitator
Noun
  • In North Carolina, rabies cases are most commonly found in raccoons, skunks, foxes and bats, Associate Professor in the Department of Public Health and Health Administration Rafael Vieira told UNC Charlotte.
    — Eva Flowe October 1, Charlotte Observer, 1 Oct. 2026
  • In California, bats and skunks are the animals that most often get rabies, according to the state health department.
    — Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of skunk

Browse Nearby Words

apathy
ape
aped
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Cite this Entry

“Ape.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ape. Accessed 7 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on ape

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about ape

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