Synonym Chooser

How is the word imitate distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of imitate are ape, copy, mimic, and mock. While all these words mean "to make something so that it resembles an existing thing," imitate suggests following a model or a pattern but may allow for some variation.

imitate a poet's style

When is ape a more appropriate choice than imitate?

The words ape and imitate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, ape may suggest presumptuous, slavish, or inept imitating of a superior original.

American fashion designers aped their European colleagues

Where would copy be a reasonable alternative to imitate?

The synonyms copy and imitate are sometimes interchangeable, but copy suggests duplicating an original as nearly as possible.

copied the painting and sold the fake as an original

When is it sensible to use mimic instead of imitate?

The words mimic and imitate can be used in similar contexts, but 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 imitate?

The meanings of mock and imitate largely overlap; however, 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 imitate The concept album was a case of art imitating life. Eamon Whalen, Rolling Stone, 26 June 2025 But as these systems gained the ability to imitate reasoning, planning, and decision-making among options, emergent behaviors began raising red flags. Hamilton Mann, Forbes.com, 29 June 2025 Some fireworks transcend the standard pops and booms to imitate a non-fiery object. Ethan Wolin, Sacbee.com, 28 June 2025 In 2023, for example, its technology was used by a client in Venezuela to produce state propaganda videos, in which avatars were generated to imitate Western newscasters; the episode crystallized concerns over political disinformation. Allie Garfinkle, Fortune, 26 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for imitate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for imitate
Verb
  • To convert these advantages into productive capacity, the United States should selectively emulate today’s preeminent manufacturing powerhouse and rediscover its own ability to build fast and build well.
    Damien Ma, Foreign Affairs, 1 July 2025
  • Scorpio Mysterious, magnetic, and maybe just a little bit dangerous: Scorpio, your jewelry needs to match your passion and emulate your true inner light to the outside world.
    Meghan Rose, Glamour, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • Reno 911! is a mockumentary comedy series that parodies law enforcement and premiered on Comedy Central in 2003.
    Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 7 July 2025
  • Fun factoid: Don Adams as Maxwell Smart (Agent 86) talking on the shoe phone has been parodied by many comedians over the years.
    Marc Berman, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025
Verb
  • At the heart of the dispute was whether teams’ imagery can be used without consent to create unlicensed products when those products use historic artistic images, including those in the public domain, reproduced from vintage school memorabilia.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 1 July 2025
  • The moisture can create a perfect haven, if bacteria is present, to reproduce when the baked potato cools down while wrapped in foil and hits a temperature of 135 F to 41 F.
    Lauren David, Southern Living, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • Geraghty told the foundation that Dohn's comprehensive instruction plan for the 2024-25 school year was late because Davenport was the only Dohn employee copied on those reminder emails.
    Madeline Mitchell, The Enquirer, 3 July 2025
  • Luxury athletic brand Lululemon is suing Costco, claiming the wholesale giant copied several of its signature designs, selling them at lower prices under its Kirkland Signature brand.
    Brittney Melton, NPR, 2 July 2025
Verb
  • And of course, that following Sunday, Oliver did indeed mock his corporate bosses for the move.
    Michael Schneider, Variety, 8 July 2025
  • Many wanted Tiger to comment, but others chose to mock Williams.
    Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 July 2025
Verb
  • The store will replicate the approach and colors of the headquarters in a bold way.
    Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 8 July 2025
  • Heck, writers have been using cannabis for four hundred years since Shakespeare died, and so far no one has managed to come close to replicating the man’s genius.
    Sam Kelly July 8, Literary Hub, 8 July 2025
Verb
  • This rapid back-and-forth process mimics Kolb’s learning cycle and keeps your curiosity alive by making exploration dynamic and hands-on.
    Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025
  • The blouse features a hint of a collar, soon-to-be-trending frog enclosures, and slits on the sleeves that mimic the trousers.
    Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 9 July 2025
Verb
  • Wear comfortable shoes, as much of your exploring will probably be done on foot.
    New York Times, New York Times, 10 July 2025
  • In complex or regulated environments, speed matters, but so does cross-functional orchestration that accounts for the nuances of the situation.
    Gary Drenik, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Imitate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imitate. Accessed 14 Jul. 2025.

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