mock 1 of 3

verb

ˈmäk How to pronounce mock (audio)
Definition of mocknext
1
as in to parody
to copy or exaggerate (someone or something) in order to make fun of team members good-naturedly mocked the coach's familiar bellow

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2
as in to ridicule
to make (someone or something) the object of unkind laughter the fashion gurus loved to mock the famous couple for their unsophisticated clothes

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3
as in to disobey
to go against the commands, prohibitions, or rules of a person willing to mock the religious prohibition against working on the Sabbath

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mock

2 of 3

adjective

1
as in faux
being such in appearance only and made with or manufactured from usually cheaper materials mock turtle soup

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2
as in fake
lacking in natural or spontaneous quality since I had inadvertently learned what I was getting, I opened the present with mock surprise

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mock

3 of 3

noun

1
as in joke
a person or thing that is made fun of they made a mock of the new recruit in front of the whole unit

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2
as in copy
something that is made to look exactly like something else obviously, the "priceless" Grecian urn that is destroyed in the movie was a mock

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word mock distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of mock are ape, copy, imitate, and mimic. While all these words mean "to make something so that it resembles an existing thing," mock usually implies imitation with derision.

mocking a vain man's pompous manner

When is ape a more appropriate choice than mock?

The synonyms ape and mock are sometimes interchangeable, but ape may suggest presumptuous, slavish, or inept imitating of a superior original.

American fashion designers aped their European colleagues

When would copy be a good substitute for mock?

While the synonyms copy and mock are close in meaning, copy suggests duplicating an original as nearly as possible.

copied the painting and sold the fake as an original

Where would imitate be a reasonable alternative to mock?

Although the words imitate and mock have much in common, imitate suggests following a model or a pattern but may allow for some variation.

imitate a poet's style

When is it sensible to use mimic instead of mock?

While in some cases nearly identical to mock, mimic implies a close copying (as of voice or mannerism) often for fun, ridicule, or lifelike imitation.

pupils mimicking their teacher

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 mock
Verb
Not properly addressing the offensive line last year, and then mocking the media and fan base about it, was an embarrassment. —Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 23 Apr. 2025 In fact, at the time of its acquisition, late-night comics like Jon Stewart mocked the millions of dollars ... —Jennifer Huddleston, National Review, 23 Apr. 2025
Adjective
Rated as one of the top quarterback prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft in various mock drafts, Sanders was initially expected to be selected in the first round by many pundits. —Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 28 Apr. 2025 Few if any mock drafts had Jaxson Dart, Tyler Shough, Jalen Milroe or Dillon Gabriel getting picked before Sanders, but that’s what happened. —Steve Megargee, Chicago Tribune, 26 Apr. 2025
Noun
After being gifted with a wide receiver in Xavier Worthy after a trade up in last year's NFL draft, in this mock, the team somehow lands Arizona receiver Tetairoa McMillan. —Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025 If Omarion Hampton isn’t available in NFL draft, which running back fits Broncos best? Broncos draft preview: Denver could look for late flier to fill out QB room Renck & File: Any NFL mock draft that doesn’t have Broncos picking running back in first round needs to go Broncos need a late-round WR? —Luca Evans, Denver Post, 4 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for mock
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mock
  1. parody
  2. ridicule
  3. disobey
  4. faux
  5. fake
  6. joke
  7. copy
  8. imitate
Verb
  • Sherman appears as Wood’s character Chelsea, parodying her heavy Manchester accent and prominent teeth.
    — Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 16 Apr. 2025
  • Silent comedies are often parodied as mere exercises in physical humor — and that element is certainly a part of their charm — but Chaplin’s work transcended pratfalls and knowing looks to the camera.
    — Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of parody
Verb
  • The Lyon goal should rightly rectify his legacy at United and hopefully earn him the respect from those outside of the club who have often so unfairly chided and ridiculed him.
    — Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 1 May 2025
  • But all three of the Daily Racing Form’s august gentlemen openly ridicule the field-size point reduction rule.
    — Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025
Definition of ridicule
Verb
  • Boasberg earlier this week found probable cause that the Trump administration committed criminal contempt by disobeying his ruling, only to see the Supreme Court rule that only judges where migrants are being held have jurisdiction to halt their removal.
    — Jasmine Garsd, NPR, 19 Apr. 2025
  • The timing of Lopez Gomez’s arrest, first reported by the Florida Phoenix, raises questions about whether the court order was disobeyed.
    — Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of disobey
Adjective
  • Push your chairs and couches together to create a faux sectional look.
    — Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Apr. 2025
  • And while both traditional and faux leather-making processes involve chemicals, PVC can release pollutants and toxic chemicals.
    — Gia Yetikyel, Vogue, 26 Apr. 2025
Definition of faux
Adjective
  • With digital platforms flooded with bots and fake numbers, Kerns built his following and client base by offering true engagement, authority, and working systems.
    — Rhiannon Frater, USA Today, 1 May 2025
  • However, according to the businesses, The Knot defrauded them by providing leads that were either largely worthless or completely fake.
    — Tom Rogers, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Apr. 2025
Definition of fake
Noun
  • Joy Behar landed in hot water when a joke about a decades-old scandal fell flat.
    — Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 1 May 2025
  • Dave Chappelle roasted Donald Trump for taking over as chairman of the Kennedy Center—weeks after a past joke about the president went newly viral on social media.
    — Jack Royston, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025
Definition of joke
Noun
  • There was a grocery list, spice cans, copies of L.A. newspapers.
    — Carolyn Kellogg, Los Angeles Times, 24 Apr. 2025
  • The museum has housed another copy of this book since the 1930s.
    — Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Apr. 2025
Definition of copy
Verb
  • Its release created a wave of immense hype—and existential panic—about AI's ability to imitate human communication and composition.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 30 Apr. 2025
  • At its core is the capability of computer systems or algorithms to imitate intelligent human behavior – and in some cases improve how to interpret large amounts of data to make decisions and solve problems.
    — Jill Standish, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
Definition of imitate

Browse Nearby Words

moccasins
mock
mocked
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Cite this Entry

“Mock.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mock. Accessed 6 May. 2025.

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