impersonate

verb

im·​per·​son·​ate im-ˈpər-sə-ˌnāt How to pronounce impersonate (audio)
impersonated; impersonating
Synonyms of impersonatenext

transitive verb

: to assume or act the character of : personate
impersonating a police officer
impersonation noun

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
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.
User @briadeshaun took a more relatable route and impersonated an out-of-shape owl, worn out from flying and repeatedly panting to catch its breath. Saleen Martin, USA Today, 27 Jan. 2026 These extensions impersonate popular human resources and business platforms such as Workday, NetSuite and SAP SuccessFactors. Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 26 Jan. 2026 The thieves can then use that information to make purchases with the victims' credit cards, open new credit cards in the victims' names, steal the victims' tax refunds, get a job or medical care under false pretenses, and even impersonate the victims upon being arrested for or convicted of a crime. Adam Harrington, CBS News, 26 Jan. 2026 So don't go off topic, don't impersonate anyone, and don't get your facts wrong. Diana Lodderhose, Deadline, 26 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for impersonate

Word History

First Known Use

1715, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of impersonate was in 1715

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Impersonate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/impersonate. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.

Kids Definition

impersonate

verb
im·​per·​son·​ate im-ˈpərs-ᵊn-ˌāt How to pronounce impersonate (audio)
impersonated; impersonating
: to pretend to be some other person
impersonate a police officer
impersonation
-ˌpərs-ᵊn-ˈā-shən
noun
impersonator
-ˈpərs-ᵊn-ˌāt-ər
noun

Legal Definition

impersonate

transitive verb
im·​per·​son·​ate im-ˈpər-sə-ˌnāt How to pronounce impersonate (audio)
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
impersonator noun

More from Merriam-Webster on impersonate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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