imitate

verb

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im·i·tate | \ ˈi-mə-ˌtāt

imitated; imitating

Definition of imitate

transitive verb

1 : to follow as a pattern, model, or example

2 : mimic, counterfeit can imitate his father's booming voice

3 : to be or appear like : resemble

4 : to produce a copy of : reproduce

Other Words from imitate Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More About imitate

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Synonyms for imitate

Synonyms

Choose the Right Synonym for imitate

copy, imitate, mimic, ape, mock mean to make something so that it resembles an existing thing. copy suggests duplicating an original as nearly as possible. copied the painting and sold the fake as an original imitate suggests following a model or a pattern but may allow for some variation. imitate a poet's style mimic implies a close copying (as of voice or mannerism) often for fun, ridicule, or lifelike imitation. pupils mimicking their teacher ape may suggest presumptuous, unoriginal, or inept imitating of a superior original. American fashion designers aped their European colleagues mock usually implies imitation with derision. mocking a vain man's pompous manner

Examples of imitate in a Sentence

Her style has been imitated by many other writers. He's very good at imitating his father's voice. She can imitate the calls of many different birds.

Recent Examples on the Web The new analysis adds musk ducks to a small number of animals able to imitate human speech. — Ben Panko, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 Sep. 2021 This function is what the authors of the new work taught an artificial deep neural network to imitate in order to determine its complexity. — Quanta Magazine, 2 Sep. 2021 Amaka often struggled to interpret FAKA’s distinctive speeches—let alone imitate them. — Wired, 1 Sep. 2021 Both Reagan and Thatcher achieved a level of popularity among the public so great that their rivals were compelled to imitate them. — Cameron Hilditch, National Review, 16 June 2021 The kind that you’re born with and other people try to imitate. — Randall Roberts, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2021 If the top executives model callous, indifferent or abusive attitudes toward employees, others within the organization start to pick up on that and imitate it. — Bill Higgs, Forbes, 5 May 2021 Your social life can blossom, and you may be inspired to imitate successful friends. — Tribune Content Agency, oregonlive, 25 Aug. 2021 Tony the Tiger is showing off his custom, tiger fur Nikes, his face painted to imitate the team mascot. — Sarah Michels, cincinnati.com, 13 Aug. 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'imitate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for imitate

borrowed from Latin imitātus, past participle of imitārī "to follow as a pattern, copy," frequentative derivative of a presumed verb *imā- "make a copy," perhaps going back to Indo-European *h₂im-, whence also Hittite hima-, himma- "substitute, replica, toy"

Note: Aside from Hittite, evidence for an etymon *h₂im- is lacking. See also etymology and note at emulous.

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