duplicate 1 of 3

duplicate

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noun

duplicate

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verb

1
as in to copy
to make an exact likeness of art students trying to duplicate paintings in the museum's collection as part of their training

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in to replicate
to make or do again we were unable to duplicate the experiment in our own lab, so we're suspicious

Synonyms & Similar Words

3
as in to double
to make twice as great or as many the recipe can be easily duplicated in order to feed a large family

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun duplicate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of duplicate are copy, facsimile, replica, and reproduction. While all these words mean "a thing made to closely resemble another," duplicate implies a double or counterpart exactly corresponding to another thing.

a duplicate of a house key

When is it sensible to use copy instead of duplicate?

The meanings of copy and duplicate largely overlap; however, copy applies especially to one of a number of things reproduced mechanically.

printed 1000 copies of the lithograph

When can facsimile be used instead of duplicate?

Although the words facsimile and duplicate have much in common, facsimile suggests a close reproduction often of graphic matter that may differ in scale.

a facsimile of a rare book

Where would replica be a reasonable alternative to duplicate?

While the synonyms replica and duplicate are close in meaning, replica implies the exact reproduction of a particular item in all details, but not always in the same scale.

a replica of the Mayflower
miniature replicas of classic cars

When might reproduction be a better fit than duplicate?

While in some cases nearly identical to duplicate, reproduction implies an exact or close imitation of an existing thing.

reproductions from the museum's furniture collection

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 duplicate
Adjective
The five biggest Medicaid insurers received one-third of the duplicate payments, the report discovered. Editorial, Boston Herald, 4 Apr. 2025 This folder is where Apple keeps track of all your duplicate photos and videos. Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, Fox News, 2 Mar. 2025
Noun
According to the lawsuit, ECE International is reconciling the claims, including identifying duplicate and unsupported claims. Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 16 Apr. 2025 For example, after an acquisition, duplicate processes may remain from the two merging organizations, leading to process-organization complexity. Stephen Wilson, Forbes.com, 11 Apr. 2025
Verb
Coronado’s Lauren Gilhooly, who ran 11.70 at the Mt. Carmel Invitational but was aided by a 2.9 mph wind, duplicated the feat without excessive wind in edging Steele Canyon’s Aniya Scott (11.91) and Otay Ranch’s Zamaria Mack (12.02) for a personal best. Steve Brand, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Apr. 2025 The gas industry would have to duplicate itself in the next 15 years. Ian Dexter Palmer, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for duplicate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for duplicate
Adjective
  • Sky News and Torrent Freak were able to do the same and found identical results.
    Nicholas Rice, People.com, 3 May 2025
  • Emily killed her identical triplet sister Faith to use her body in the supposed drowning.
    Erin Jensen, USA Today, 3 May 2025
Noun
  • Micromanagement isn’t always the classic image of a controlling boss hovering nearby.
    Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes.com, 4 May 2025
  • That potentially gives him the opportunity to shape the country’s politics in his and his party’s image in a way no leader has since the Liberals’ John Howard in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
    Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 4 May 2025
Noun
  • Two weeks ago, the project sold just under 3,700 copies, according to Luminate.
    Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 3 May 2025
  • The most recent version game, GTA 5 was released in 2013 and sold over 200 million copies.
    Alain Sherter, CBS News, 2 May 2025
Verb
  • Over the past several decades, these cells have been reproduced millions of times, meaning that today's production does not require additional fetal tissue and does not involve ongoing abortions.
    Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025
  • This ripple effect builds leaders who reproduce leaders.
    Sandra Balogun, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • According to the analysts, AI cannot replicate managing teams and handling customer relationships that require emotional intelligence and decision-making. 10.
    Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025
  • Technically, what Teal replicates is an in-office HPV test—but because a large body of research has found that HPV testing is generally more effective at preventing cervical cancer than Pap smears, the screening recommendations for most people already emphasize the former.
    Erica Sloan, SELF, 9 May 2025
Verb
  • And unlike low-slung, compact sports cars, the menacing RS6 doubles as a stylish people mover that can go just about anywhere and perform capably on dirt trails and and slippery roads.
    Morgan Korn, ABC News, 3 May 2025
  • The basement doubles as a meeting space that accommodates up to 100 people.
    Laura Kinsler, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 May 2025
Adjective
  • The rules are strict about uniforms too, which are similar across all public schools – even specifying the types of socks and shoes students must wear.
    Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 3 May 2025
  • Trapezoids in space All of these milestones occurred out of public view, a policy of secrecy similar to the launch of a clandestine military spy satellite.
    Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 3 May 2025
Noun
  • Companies are creating digital replicas of warehouses to monitor operations in real time.
    Umesh Kumar Sharma, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
  • Steel eagle heads and sculptural pineapples can be spotted on different levels, as well as replicas of Chrysler’s 1929 radiator hub caps — a tribute to innovation as well as a direct reference to the building’s original owner.
    Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 28 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Duplicate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/duplicate. Accessed 13 May. 2025.

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