Synonyms of ape

ape 1 of 3

verb

as in to imitate

to use (someone or something) as the model for one's speech, mannerisms, or behavior

was caught aping the substitute teacher's thick accent

Synonyms & Similar Words

• imitate
• emulate
• copy
• mimic
• mock
• mime
• repeat
• parody
• echo
• copycat
• play
• caricature
• perform
• burlesque
• ditto
• pantomime
• lampoon
• impersonate
• reecho
• travesty

ape

2 of 3

adjective

as in nuclear

Related Words

• nuclear
• berserk
• demented
• ballistic
• psycho
• psychotic
• maniacal
• crazed
• mad
• deranged
• mental
• fey
• bananas
• daft
• loopy
• loco
• non compos mentis
• insane
• nuts
• unbalanced
• nutty
• batty
• amok
• unhinged
• potty
• aberrant
• brainsick
• bats
• unsound
• eccentric
• dotty
• off
• delirious
• disordered
• delusional
• oddball
• bonkers
• foolish
• disturbed
• witless
• strange
• wud
• irrational
• delusionary
• pixilated
• queer
• crazy
• teched
• unreasonable
• senseless
• odd
• touched
• frantic
• frenzied
• depressed
• distraught
• wigged-out
• hysterical
• raving
• distracted

Dissimilar Words

• rational
• reasonable
• normal
• clear
• wise
• sensible
• lucid
• judicious
• healthy
• sound
• sane
• well-adjusted
• balanced
• compos mentis
• unneurotic
• uncrazy

ape

3 of 3

noun

1

as in aper

Related Words

• aper
• poser
• imitator
• actor
• mime
• pantomime
• masker
• impressionist
• ham
• mimic
• masquerader
• pantomimist
• personator

2

as in anthropoid

Related Words

• anthropoid
• skunk
• brute
• clown
• snake
• louse
• villain
• boor
• idiot
• cad
• stupid
• imbecile
• ignoramus
• heel
• cretin
• moron
• creep
• know-nothing
• cur
• beast
• donkey
• mutt
• blockhead
• hammerhead
• lunkhead
• dullard
• stinker
• dolt
• golem
• simpleton
• bonehead
• dimwit
• dodo
• stupe
• pinhead
• dunce
• blunderer
• dumbhead
• dumbbell
• numskull
• tyke
• knucklehead
• galoot
• madman
• airhead
• dummy
• loon
• dunderhead
• jackass
• goon
• loony
• dope
• noodle
• booby
• ninny
• goof
• hardhead
• meathead
• goose
• cluck
• dip
• simp
• prat
• churl
• saphead
• birdbrain
• nincompoop
• bubblehead
• loggerhead
• noddy
• nimrod
• gander
• doofus
• clunk
• dummkopf
• schnook
• chucklehead
• fathead
• fool
• deadhead
• nitwit
• schlub
• stock
• yahoo
• dim bulb
• dork
• mome
• ninnyhammer
• ratbag
• cuddy
• half-wit
• lamebrain
• chowderhead
• nit
• slouch
• woodenhead
• dum-dum
• thickhead
• clot
• nut
• clodpoll
• chump
• loser
• yo-yo
• turkey
• scatterbrain
• schlemiel
• rascal
• featherbrain
• Neanderthal
• hulk
• mug
• rogue
• scamp
• oaf
• lout
• palooka
• lug
• lubber
• gawk
• clodhopper
• clod
• lump

Dissimilar Words

• brain
• intellectual
• genius
• sage
• thinker
• wizard
• whiz
• brainiac

Synonym Chooser

How is the word ape distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of ape are copy, imitate, mimic, and mock. While all these words mean "to make something so that it resembles an existing thing," ape may suggest presumptuous, slavish, or inept imitating of a superior original.

American fashion designers aped their European colleagues

When is it sensible to use copy instead of ape?

The words copy and ape can be used in similar contexts, but 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 ape?

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

imitate a poet's style

When might mimic be a better fit than ape?

The words mimic and ape are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, mimic implies a close copying (as of voice or mannerism) often for fun, ridicule, or lifelike imitation.

pupils mimicking their teacher

When could mock be used to replace ape?

While the synonyms mock and ape are close in meaning, mock usually implies imitation with derision.

mocking a vain man's pompous manner

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of ape

Verb

There’s a word for this type of storytelling, and Taccone deserves credit for delivering a superior version of this without outright aping its most famous practitioner. —David Fear, Rolling Stone, 24 Apr. 2026

But the series’ genre switch is just a theatrical exercise, like Euphoria is putting on another play, this one against a Harmony Korine– and Quentin Tarantino–aping backdrop. —Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 8 Apr. 2026

Noun

The mammoth-bone huts represent a level of architectural skill that sets them apart from the instinctive nest building of our ape ancestors. —Literary Hub, 1 May 2026

As many clubs in the lower leagues look to ape the intricate build-up popularised by elite managers such as Pep Guardiola, have Bromley just demonstrated that long-ball football still works? —Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2026