Synonyms of ape

ape 1 of 3

verb

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

• imitate
• emulate
• copy
• mimic
• mock
• mime
• repeat
• parody
• echo
• copycat
• play
• caricature
• perform
• burlesque
• ditto
• pantomime
• lampoon
• impersonate
• reecho
• travesty

ape

2 of 3

adjective

as in nuclear

Related Words

• nuclear
• maniac
• berserk
• demented
• ballistic
• psycho
• maniacal
• psychotic
• crazed
• mad
• deranged
• mental
• batty
• fey
• bananas
• loopy
• daft
• non compos mentis
• loco
• dotty
• insane
• amuck
• nuts
• unbalanced
• nutty
• amok
• unhinged
• aberrant
• potty
• unsound
• bats
• brainsick
• eccentric
• off
• delirious
• disordered
• delusional
• delusionary
• oddball
• tetched
• bonkers
• foolish
• disturbed
• witless
• strange
• wud
• irrational
• pixilated
• queer
• crazy
• pixillated
• teched
• unreasonable
• touched
• senseless
• odd
• hysteric
• frantic
• frenzied
• depressed
• distraught
• hysterical
• wigged-out
• raving
• distracted

Dissimilar Words

• rational
• reasonable
• normal
• clear
• wise
• sensible
• lucid
• judicious
• healthy
• sound
• sane
• well-adjusted
• balanced
• compos mentis
• unneurotic
• uncrazy

ape

3 of 3

noun

1

as in aper

Related Words

• aper
• poser
• imitator
• actor
• mime
• pantomime
• masker
• impressionist
• ham
• mimic
• masquerader
• pantomimist
• personator

2

as in anthropoid

Related Words

• anthropoid
• skunk
• brute
• tike
• clown
• snake
• louse
• villain
• boor
• idiot
• cad
• stupid
• imbecile
• ignoramus
• heel
• cretin
• moron
• creep
• know-nothing
• cur
• beast
• numbskull
• donkey
• mutt
• blockhead
• hammerhead
• lunkhead
• dullard
• stinker
• dolt
• golem
• simpleton
• bonehead
• dimwit
• dodo
• pinhead
• stupe
• dunce
• blunderer
• dumbhead
• dumbbell
• numskull
• tyke
• knucklehead
• galoot
• madman
• airhead
• dummy
• loon
• dunderhead
• jackass
• goon
• loony
• dope
• noodle
• booby
• ninny
• looney
• goof
• hardhead
• meathead
• goose
• cluck
• dip
• simp
• prat
• churl
• saphead
• birdbrain
• nincompoop
• bubblehead
• loggerhead
• noddy
• gander
• nimrod
• doofus
• clunk
• dummkopf
• schnook
• chucklehead
• fathead
• fool
• deadhead
• nitwit
• dum-dum
• schlub
• stock
• yahoo
• dim bulb
• dork
• mome
• ninnyhammer
• ratbag
• clodpole
• cuddy
• shlub
• half-wit
• lamebrain
• chowderhead
• nit
• slouch
• cuddie
• woodenhead
• thickhead
• clot
• nut
• clodpoll
• chump
• loser
• shlemiel
• turkey
• scatterbrain
• yo-yo
• schlemiel
• rascal
• featherbrain
• Neanderthal
• hulk
• rogue
• mug
• scamp
• oaf
• lout
• palooka
• lug
• lubber
• gawk
• clodhopper
• clod
• lump

Dissimilar Words

• brain
• intellectual
• genius
• sage
• thinker
• wizard
• whiz
• brainiac

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

Recent Examples of ape

Verb

Every hominin species in the fossil record has its own unique mix of familiar human traits and more ape-like ones, shaped by their environments and lifestyles. —Kiona N. Smith, Ars Technica, 30 Mar. 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

The gentle apes, once found in greater numbers across Southeast Asia, have experienced sharp population declines, according to the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). —Kocha Olarn, CNN Money, 16 May 2025

In Donkey Kong Country, elder ape Cranky Kong springs to life outside of the Mine-Cart Madness ride, which is a family-friendly rollercoaster. —Sage Anderson, Rolling Stone, 22 May 2025

Noun

The animation perfectly apes the style of the cartoons of the '50s and Alan Cumming's overly energetic performance is perfect for the character. —Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Apr. 2025

Although victory for Simion is much more likely than for Poland’s right-wing candidates, Europe is now facing the prospect that two of Ukraine’s neighbors could by next month be led by presidents who are hostile towards Brussels and aping a MAGA-style politics. —Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 5 May 2025