1
as in follower
a person who adopts the appearance or behavior of another especially in an obvious way
an Elvis imitator in a sequinned jumpsuit
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in performer
a person who imitates another's voice and mannerisms for comic effect
that comedian is a hilarious imitator of a surprising array of current celebrities
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Recent Examples of imitator
Though Cox has a small role and Panettiere returns, the lack of legacy characters makes this feel like a cheap imitator at times.
—
Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Mar. 2026
For decades, Gallup’s company and its imitators improved their techniques.
—David Frum, The Atlantic, 21 Feb. 2026
Along the way, the festival has outlasted many imitators and weathered shifting food trends by staying nimble.
—Peter Burke, FOXNews.com, 21 Feb. 2026
The imitators are increasingly convincing, especially as AI image and video generators get better by the day.
—John Whyte, STAT, 17 Feb. 2026
That's the beloved appetizer consisting of six yellow peppers stuffed with shrimp that family matriarch Carmen Murguia brought to California from the border town of Mexicali, creating what may be the area’s most popular Mexican dish and inspiring countless imitators.
—Usa Today Network, USA Today, 11 Feb. 2026
Michtom didn’t bother to patent his invention; the imitators merely spurred interest.
—Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
The popularity of products like Meta Ray-Bans has opened up a new market of imitators who are in an arms race to make their smart glasses as ethically dubious as possible, perhaps with a little help from AI or facial recognition software.
—Frank Landymore, Futurism, 28 Jan. 2026
Although Rudolph’s concrete architecture was more complex and soulful than that of many of his imitators, that difference was often overlooked.
—Anthony Paletta, Curbed, 13 Jan. 2026
Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Mar. 2026
For decades, Gallup’s company and its imitators improved their techniques.
—David Frum, The Atlantic, 21 Feb. 2026
Along the way, the festival has outlasted many imitators and weathered shifting food trends by staying nimble.
—Peter Burke, FOXNews.com, 21 Feb. 2026
The imitators are increasingly convincing, especially as AI image and video generators get better by the day.
—John Whyte, STAT, 17 Feb. 2026
That's the beloved appetizer consisting of six yellow peppers stuffed with shrimp that family matriarch Carmen Murguia brought to California from the border town of Mexicali, creating what may be the area’s most popular Mexican dish and inspiring countless imitators.
—Usa Today Network, USA Today, 11 Feb. 2026
Michtom didn’t bother to patent his invention; the imitators merely spurred interest.
—Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
The popularity of products like Meta Ray-Bans has opened up a new market of imitators who are in an arms race to make their smart glasses as ethically dubious as possible, perhaps with a little help from AI or facial recognition software.
—Frank Landymore, Futurism, 28 Jan. 2026
Although Rudolph’s concrete architecture was more complex and soulful than that of many of his imitators, that difference was often overlooked.
—Anthony Paletta, Curbed, 13 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for imitator
Noun
-
For his followers, blaspheming the Holocaust and celebrating Hitler became a way to signal contempt for the political religion of postwar liberalism.—
Antonia Hitchens,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
-
In the Christian faith, the lamb is symbolic of innocence and the sacrifice made by Jesus Christ for his followers.—
Eric Henderson,
CBS News,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The documentary highlights Michaels’ transition from in-ring performer to his work shaping the next generation of talent, offering insight into his influence behind the scenes.—
Payton Turkeltaub,
Variety,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Brandy joined Goldberg Wednesday morning for an interview on The View, with the pop star promoting her new memoir, Phases, and reflecting on her time acting alongside the Oscar-winning Ghost performer in Cinderella.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
But with rising crude oil and persistent inflation pressures in the news, there’s also an echo of the 2022 backdrop.—
Frank Cappelleri,
CNBC,
1 Apr. 2026
-
More than just echoes of his stroke from a decade prior.—
Cara Lynn Shultz,
PEOPLE,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
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You’ll be served your second drink (of four in total) in an evocative atmosphere filled with colonial-style architecture, actors dressed as 19th-century factory workers, and a mariachi band.—
Madeleine Marr,
Miami Herald,
7 Apr. 2026
-
His attorney accused the child actors’ parents of seeking financial gain and erroneously blaming Busfield when the boys weren’t brought back for the final season of the show.—
Jennifer Zhan,
Vulture,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The awards show is set for March 31, with stand-up comedian, actor and impressionist Matt Friend as host.—
Paul Grein,
Billboard,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Mimics tells the story of Sam, a struggling impressionist who makes a pact with a wicked puppet.—
Rebecca Angel Baer,
Southern Living,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
DiMare now lives in North Kingstown with her dog and husband, professional Frank Sinatra impersonator Rich DiMare.—
Catherine Messier,
The Providence Journal,
1 Apr. 2026
-
And more recently, in May of 2025, she was named the Guinness World Record holder for the longest career as a Madonna impersonator.—
Daily News,
Daily News,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The 80-year-old entertainer was slated to appear at the Sydney Goldstein Theater on Thursday, April 9, for a conversation with singer and pianist Michael Feinstein as part of the City Arts & Lectures series.—
Aidin Vaziri,
San Francisco Chronicle,
3 Apr. 2026
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Tapping the entertainer’s star power hasn’t always gone well for city officials, though.—
Cayla Bamberger,
New York Daily News,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Her jokester father worked for a railway; her realtor mother was a gifted mimic whose impressions of clients enlivened family dinners.—
The Week US,
TheWeek,
10 Feb. 2026
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Some of the hormone mimics, such as for amylin, might also work alone.—
Sarah Zhang,
The Atlantic,
28 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Imitator.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imitator. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.
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