ape 1 of 3

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

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ape

2 of 3

adjective

ape

3 of 3

noun

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

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 ape
Verb
But now the world’s gorillas, and also their great-ape cousins, the chimpanzees, bonobos and orang-utans, face another threat from their human neighbours: covid-19. The Economist, 16 May 2020 Walking upright on two legs is considered a human trait that separates us from our ape relatives, like chimpanzees, gorillas and orangutans. Ashley Strickland, CNN, 2 Apr. 2020
Adjective
That monicker presumably comes from the fact that like the legendary ape, the camera has a big footprint. New Atlas, 2 Sep. 2025 At that point, however, society had already come to believe largely inaccurate ideas about ape society. Rj MacKenzie, Popular Science, 28 Aug. 2025
Noun
Newsom aping Donald Trump’s syntax on social media, and setting up a special election to zap five Republicans out of their House seats. David Weigel, semafor.com, 22 Aug. 2025 Shooter aped Marvel Comics’ writing style, bringing a measure of 1960s cool to the more uptight comics that National put out. Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 1 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for ape
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ape
Verb
  • The fact that these programs are becoming adept at imitating consciousness, however, may be all that matters for now.
    Webb Wright, The Atlantic, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Multiple images of Trump then pop up behind the New York lawmaker seemingly to imitate a mariachi band.
    Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Twelve years after the Kewaunee Power Station shuttered, wounding the local economy, owner EnergySolutions is seeking government approval to build a new nuclear plant at the site — and is trying to buy hundreds of acres of farmland around it.
    Miranda Dunlap, jsonline.com, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Given the riskier threat environment in East Asia due to China’s regional hegemonic ambitions and North Korea’s nuclear saber-rattling, Tokyo has little negotiating leverage.
    Jeff Kingston, Time, 4 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • That the officiant would be a giant anthropoid jar of mayo named Manny Mayo was actually too good to be true.
    Heather Schroering, Bon Appetit Magazine, 6 Aug. 2025
  • By never breaking the anthropoid conceit — keeping Williams a chimp from working-class childhood obscurity to adult pop-stardom — Better Man evolves into the most honest and exploratory showbiz movie ever made.
    Armond White, National Review, 10 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The actress wanted to her look to emulate French actresses like Bibi Anderson and Liv Ullman as well as Swedish actress, Gunnel Lindblum, and brought these references to Nollet for her transformation.
    Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 30 Sep. 2025
  • The project is a continuation of the team’s cooperative filmmaking model, emulating Lugacy’s previous feature film, the Independent Spirit Award nominated This Is Not A War Story which was acquired by Warner OneFifty for HBO Max.
    Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 30 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Rideshare posers have also allegedly raped passengers.
    Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 11 Aug. 2025
  • This was a bit of a poser for planetary scientists.
    David Szondy July 27, New Atlas, 27 July 2025
Noun
  • Rabies can be found in many other wildlife species, including raccoons, skunks, coyotes and foxes.
    Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 18 Sep. 2025
  • After World War I, fur remained a status garment, though lower-cost furs like skunk, mole, and musquash entered mainstream winter wear.
    Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • This team doesn’t need to copy last year’s.
    Pete Sampson, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
  • At one point the kid started copying him and was yelling the same things and the family was laughing.
    Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • This has unintended consequences when both Batel and Spock share a vision that sends Spock into a berserk rage.
    Keith Phipps, Vulture, 31 July 2025
  • But that was before Watkins suffered a season-ending ACL tear and before UConn star Paige Bueckers went absolutely berserk, scoring 40 in the Sweet 16.
    Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Ape.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ape. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.

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