impersonate
verb
im·per·son·ate
im-ˈpər-sə-ˌnāt 
impersonated; impersonating
: to assume or act the character of : personate
impersonating a police officer
Examples of impersonate in a Sentence
He was arrested for impersonating a police officer.
a comedian with a talent for impersonating famous politicians and actors
Recent Examples on the Web
Robinson had been under federal investigation for impersonating law enforcement.
—
S.e. Jenkins, CBS News, 16 Mar. 2026
So don't go off topic, don't impersonate anyone, and don't get your facts wrong.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 14 Mar. 2026
He was wanted for impersonating a law enforcement officer and had claimed to be one while recruiting for his business that placed off-duty officers in security jobs, CBS News reported.
—Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 14 Mar. 2026
But the mechanics of the fraud stay largely the same regardless of which badge is being impersonated.
—Dante Motley, Austin American Statesman, 13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for impersonate
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S.e. Jenkins, CBS News, 16 Mar. 2026
So don't go off topic, don't impersonate anyone, and don't get your facts wrong.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 14 Mar. 2026
He was wanted for impersonating a law enforcement officer and had claimed to be one while recruiting for his business that placed off-duty officers in security jobs, CBS News reported.
—Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 14 Mar. 2026
But the mechanics of the fraud stay largely the same regardless of which badge is being impersonated.
—Dante Motley, Austin American Statesman, 13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for impersonate
Cite this Entry
“Impersonate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/impersonate. Accessed 19 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
impersonate
verb
im·per·son·ate
im-ˈpərs-ᵊn-ˌāt
impersonated; impersonating
: to pretend to be some other person
impersonate a police officer
impersonation
noun
-ˌpərs-ᵊn-ˈā-shən
impersonator
noun
-ˈpərs-ᵊn-ˌāt-ər
Legal Definition
impersonate
transitive verb
im·per·son·ate
im-ˈpər-sə-ˌnāt
impersonated; impersonating
: to assume (another's or a fictitious identity) without authority and with fraudulent intent
impersonate a police officer
impersonated a public servant by saying he was from the water department
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