Definition of replicanext

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun replica differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of replica are copy, duplicate, facsimile, and reproduction. While all these words mean "a thing made to closely resemble another," 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 would copy be a good substitute for replica?

The words copy and replica can be used in similar contexts, but copy applies especially to one of a number of things reproduced mechanically.

printed 1000 copies of the lithograph

When is duplicate a more appropriate choice than replica?

The synonyms duplicate and replica are sometimes interchangeable, but duplicate implies a double or counterpart exactly corresponding to another thing.

a duplicate of a house key

When could facsimile be used to replace replica?

While the synonyms facsimile and replica are close in meaning, facsimile suggests a close reproduction often of graphic matter that may differ in scale.

a facsimile of a rare book

Where would reproduction be a reasonable alternative to replica?

In some situations, the words reproduction and replica are roughly equivalent. However, 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 replica It is meant to be a reinterpretation of the original, rather than a replica. Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 26 Mar. 2026 Scaling up from a small model to a full-sized quadrotor biplane is much riskier, so the team is building an exact digital replica first. Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 24 Mar. 2026 And finally … Trump toured Elvis Presley’s Graceland during his trip to Memphis on Monday, signing a replica guitar from the late rock ‘n’ roll singer. Jared Gans, The Hill, 24 Mar. 2026 The trails are a mix of paved sidewalks or loose gravel winding through native plants and some replicas of early Las Vegas. Mindy Sink, Denver Post, 22 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for replica
Recent Examples of Synonyms for replica
Noun
  • Fatalities data, the group says, is based on a range of sources, including sources among medical workers, publicly available images and official statements.
    Bart Jansen, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2026
  • Whereas the intimate, snapshot-style images call us to bask in the anachronistic warmth of the analog, the profane photographs beckon toward the messy pleasures of the body.
    Chris Wiley, New Yorker, 28 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Then, carbon-copy goals from Brittany Ratcliffe and Madison Mercado — who got on the end of crosses whipped in by Sofia Huerta in the 26th and 33rd minutes — saw the Current shell-shocked down 3-0 in the 33rd minute.
    Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 26 Mar. 2026
  • Keep copies of your passport and use a money belt in crowded areas.
    Lauren Schuster, Charlotte Observer, 25 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • These systems include digital twins, in-line sensing, and real-time production monitoring systems that are becoming more common in modern manufacturing environments.
    Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 24 Mar. 2026
  • Carmaker Mercedes Benz uses digital twins of its factories and assembly lines to reduce downtime, and also to test its driving software in simulations before real-world deployment.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 24 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The results show that reproduction could pose a real challenge for future space settlers, but it still can’t be ruled out as impossible.
    Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 27 Mar. 2026
  • The study, from researchers at the University of Adelaide in Australia, is just the latest addition to a growing pile of evidence that suggests mammalian reproduction in space might be quite complicated, if not impossible.
    Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 27 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Stumpy was one of the trees cleared for the renovations, but Stumpy clones live on, waiting to be planted when the work is done.
    ABC News, ABC News, 26 Mar. 2026
  • Individuals need control in a world awash with digital clones, but that control cannot harm the freedom of expression our industry relies upon to entertain and inform the world.
    Glenn Garner, Deadline, 26 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The theorist Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick examined the extent to which jealous imitation drives all manner of same-sex relations, straight and gay.
    Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 27 Mar. 2026
  • Choose pure vanilla extract (not imitation vanilla) for superior flavor.
    Robin Miller, AZCentral.com, 26 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • With Young looking to earn a long-term extension and push the Panthers forward in the NFC playoff picture, Pickett’s insight and experience could be valuable assets during the upcoming campaign.
    Mike Kaye March 31, Charlotte Observer, 31 Mar. 2026
  • Well, that definitely paints a vivid picture.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Some were duplicates, so the final tally was 15.
    Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026
  • Software engineer Alexey Grigorev recently watched an AI agent destroy his entire production database—wiping out years of course data after a setup error caused the system to delete the live environment instead of cleaning up duplicates.
    Alexei Oreskovic, Fortune, 19 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Replica.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/replica. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.

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