1
as in imitator
a person who adopts the appearance or behavior of another especially in an obvious way
she prides herself on being an innovator in fashion, and not a mere copyist
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in scribe
one who writes from dictation or copies manuscripts
some scholars argue that the vexing passage reflects a misreading of the text by an early copyist
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 copyist
Copying is part of a long tradition in art history, especially at the Louvre, which has maintained a copyists’ bureau since its founding in 1793.
—
Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 June 2025
Material features can also include things like colophons—formulas at the end of a text that attest to its completeness and fidelity and often also include the name of the copyist—doodles in the margins, mistakes and corrections, even handwriting style.
—The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 22 Apr. 2025
The watercolor was recently rejected by specialists in 2020, who believe the copyist worked from a photograph of the work that was first published in 1904.
—Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 4 Oct. 2024
In an effort to thwart copyists, together these purist designers showed after the scheduled Fashion Week—and this was back when editors were still sailing to Paris from New York.
—Laird Borrelli-Persson, Vogue, 16 Nov. 2023
As befits an artist who began her career working as a music copyist for famed Miles Davis collaborator Gil Evans, one of her key early mentors, Schneider composes with such skill, verve and clarity that her orchestra becomes a unique instrument of her own making.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Feb. 2023
But her intention has been to draw inspiration and insight from each, without being a copyist.
—Jon Garelick, BostonGlobe.com, 11 Nov. 2022
As previously announced, the 2022 Tony Honors for Excellence in the Theatre will be presented to the Asian American Performers Action Coalition (AAPAC); Broadway For All; music copyist, Emily Grishman; Feinstein’s/54 Below and United Scenic Artists, Local USA 829, IATSE.
—Paul Grein, Billboard, 9 May 2022
Grishman is a music copyist for Broadway, Off-Broadway and regional theater, who works closely with composers, orchestrators and players.
—Abbey White, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 May 2022
Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 June 2025
Material features can also include things like colophons—formulas at the end of a text that attest to its completeness and fidelity and often also include the name of the copyist—doodles in the margins, mistakes and corrections, even handwriting style.
—The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 22 Apr. 2025
The watercolor was recently rejected by specialists in 2020, who believe the copyist worked from a photograph of the work that was first published in 1904.
—Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 4 Oct. 2024
In an effort to thwart copyists, together these purist designers showed after the scheduled Fashion Week—and this was back when editors were still sailing to Paris from New York.
—Laird Borrelli-Persson, Vogue, 16 Nov. 2023
As befits an artist who began her career working as a music copyist for famed Miles Davis collaborator Gil Evans, one of her key early mentors, Schneider composes with such skill, verve and clarity that her orchestra becomes a unique instrument of her own making.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Feb. 2023
But her intention has been to draw inspiration and insight from each, without being a copyist.
—Jon Garelick, BostonGlobe.com, 11 Nov. 2022
As previously announced, the 2022 Tony Honors for Excellence in the Theatre will be presented to the Asian American Performers Action Coalition (AAPAC); Broadway For All; music copyist, Emily Grishman; Feinstein’s/54 Below and United Scenic Artists, Local USA 829, IATSE.
—Paul Grein, Billboard, 9 May 2022
Grishman is a music copyist for Broadway, Off-Broadway and regional theater, who works closely with composers, orchestrators and players.
—Abbey White, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 May 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for copyist
Noun
-
Speaking of Ripley imitators, look no further than Saltburn.—
Mathew Rodriguez,
Them.,
23 Sep. 2025
-
Though Cox has a small role and Panettiere returns, the lack of legacy characters makes this feel like a cheap imitator at times.—
Declan Gallagher,
Entertainment Weekly,
21 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Matthew Lillard wants to reunite with Scooby–Doo scribe and DC Studios boss James Gunn on a new project.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
28 Sep. 2025
-
By capturing various order entries—such as lab orders, imaging and medication refills—AI scribes can improve the standard and quality of documentation.—
Rakhee Langer,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Another client of Meinadier’s is Zach Lugo, a skateboarder with 10 million TikTok followers who gained followers for his comedic content.—
Rhonda Richford,
Footwear News,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Lee, one of the few female religious leaders of the 18th century, and her followers were known for worshipping through ecstatic song and movement.—
Rebecca Rubin,
Variety,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The two manage to thrive together amid the decay and disorder of their East Hampton, New York mansion, making for an eerily ramshackle echo of the American Camelot.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
23 Sep. 2025
-
Nvidia 's $100 billion mega investment in OpenAI was hailed as a sign of artificial intelligence's momentum as the chipmaker's rally continued to boost the broader stock market to a record, but seasoned investors said the move looked more like a troubling echo of past bubbles.—
Yun Li,
CNBC,
23 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Copyist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/copyist. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share