1
as in performer
an actor in a story performed silently and entirely by body movements
that annoying mime on the sidewalk is pretending to be in an invisible box again
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in gesture
a movement of the body or limbs that expresses or emphasizes an idea or feeling
the speech-impaired patient had to convey his wishes with mime or scribbled notes
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in to imitate
to use (someone or something) as the model for one's speech, mannerisms, or behavior
as a joke, Eric knelt by the dinner table and began miming a dog begging for food
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 mime
Lauren Warnecke, Chicago Tribune, 22 Mar. 2025
This, plus pitch-perfect line readings and a simple mime of holding a steering wheel, are all Larson needs to drop the audience right there in the car with him.
—John Roy, Vulture, 25 Feb. 2025
Priscilla Posada, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2025
From the very beginnings of filmmaking, with Charlie Chaplin finding fame during the silent era through the use of miming, cinema has relied on more than just sound.
—Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 17 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mime
Noun
The message, transmitted close to the audience as dancers Jessica Fiala and Tamara Nadel mime a slow-motion, rolling of dice, is crystal clear: There are consequences to gambling with karma.
—Lauren Warnecke, Chicago Tribune, 22 Mar. 2025
This, plus pitch-perfect line readings and a simple mime of holding a steering wheel, are all Larson needs to drop the audience right there in the car with him.
—John Roy, Vulture, 25 Feb. 2025
Verb
By the close of their show, after having mimed chasing after the performance’s nonexistent plot, Tatarsky sat at the head of a table, facing the audience, eating Life cereal with milk, with their hands, out of an empty skull, and at one point chewed and swallowed a cigarette.
—Priscilla Posada, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2025
From the very beginnings of filmmaking, with Charlie Chaplin finding fame during the silent era through the use of miming, cinema has relied on more than just sound.
—Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 17 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mime
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mime
Noun
-
The gesture, broadcast everywhere locally, sent a clear signal to the outside world.—
Anthony Slater,
New York Times,
29 May 2025
-
Additionally, the avatar can pass the human test by using gestures, body language, and other elements of human interaction.—
Kolawole Samuel Adebayo,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2025
Verb
-
At Cruise’s behest, McQuarrie’s stunts imitate the most primitive filmmaking — not the awe-inspiring magic of Georges Méliès but the Lumière brothers’ rudimentary documentation of action.—
Armond White,
National Review,
23 May 2025
-
Walton imitated the big-box retail store and located them in small towns.—
Dileep Rao,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2025
Noun
-
Marina Walked so Chappell Roan could run (to see her set) While Marina walked around the Coachella stage, singing songs that made a pantomime of Tumblr girls’ deep feelings in the early 2010s, Chappell Roan raced to the front of the crowd.—
Emma Madden,
Vulture,
14 Apr. 2025
-
See Episode 5, where the killer frames a schoolmaster’s murder as suicide within a locked room, the laughably lazy explanation for which wouldn’t appear out of place in a pantomime.—
Jon O'Brien,
IndieWire,
20 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Government officials believe the impersonator used artificial intelligence to copy Wiles' voice for calls.—
Jordan King
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 May 2025
-
Many voters in Argentina believed that firm action was needed to correct course on Argentina’s deeply unstable economy; now, other leaders in Latin America, Europe, and the U.S. are seeking to copy Milei’s chainsaw approach to public spending.—
Christine Ro,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
Noun
-
Elves, insectoids, reptilians, aliens, gods, and clowns are all common.—
Andy Greenberg,
Wired News,
22 May 2025
-
Fans can also look forward to performances by the iconic Silver Spurs Quadrille, the adorable antics of kids competing in Mutton Bustin’, and plenty of laughs courtesy of the ever-entertaining rodeo clowns.—
Joe Rassel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
21 May 2025
Verb
-
A lot of people emulate some sort of legacy in order to shake the purse strings of their audience.—
Maya Georgi,
Rolling Stone,
23 May 2025
-
Who wants their grandchildren to emulate such limited vocabulary, negative language and divisive rhetoric?—
Christine Ledbetter,
Chicago Tribune,
22 May 2025
Verb
-
Students can also participate in team challenges that mimic real-world collaboration, innovation, and entrepreneurial thinking.—
Connie Etemadi,
USA Today,
22 May 2025
-
Best Wayfair Patio Furniture Memorial Day Sales If staycations are on the calendar this year, outdoor furniture that mimics the luxury and comfort of a resort is a must.—
Rachel Trujillo,
Travel + Leisure,
22 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Mime.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mime. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share