Thesaurus

ape

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

verb

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Synonyms of ape

(Entry 1 of 3)

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 for ape

Words Related to ape

pantomime

ape

adjective

Synonyms & Antonyms of ape (Entry 2 of 3)

as in nuclear, berserk

Synonyms & Near Synonyms for ape

balmy,
barmy
[chiefly British],
bats,
batty,
bedlam,
bonkers,
brainsick,
bughouse
[slang],
certifiable,
crackbrained,
cracked,
crackers,
crackpot,
cranky
[dialect],
crazed,
crazy,
cuckoo,
daffy,
daft,
demented,
deranged,
fruity
[slang],
gaga,
haywire,
insane,
kooky
(also kookie),
loco
[slang],
loony
(also looney),
loony tunes
(or looney tunes),
lunatic,
mad,
maniacal
(also maniac),
mental,
meshuga
(or meshugge also meshugah or meshuggah),
moonstruck,
non compos mentis,
nuts,
nutty,
psycho,
psychotic,
scatty
[chiefly British],
screwy,
unbalanced,
unhinged,
unsound,
wacko
(also whacko),
wacky
(also whacky),
wud
[chiefly Scottish]

dotty,
fey,
loopy,
off,
potty
[chiefly British],
teched
(or tetched),
touched

depressed

Antonyms & Near Antonyms for ape

unneurotic

ape

noun

Synonyms & Antonyms of ape (Entry 3 of 3)

1 as in actor, aper

Synonyms & Near Synonyms for ape

Antonyms & Near Antonyms for ape

nonactor

2 as in beast, snake

Synonyms & Near Synonyms for ape

anthropoid,
beast,
boor,
brute,
cad,
churl,
clown,
creep,
cretin,
cur,
heel,
louse,
skunk,
snake,
stinker,
tyke
(also tike)
[chiefly British],
villain

airhead,
birdbrain,
blockhead,
blunderer,
bonehead,
bubblehead,
chowderhead,
chucklehead,
clodpoll
(or clodpole),
clot
[British],
cluck,
clunk,
cuddy
(or cuddie)
[British dialect],
deadhead,
dim bulb
[slang],
dimwit,
dip,
dodo,
dolt,
donkey,
doofus
[slang],
dope,
dork
[slang],
dullard,
dumbbell,
dumbhead,
dum-dum,
dummkopf,
dummy,
dunce,
dunderhead,
fathead,
galoot
[slang],
gander,
golem,
goof,
goon,
half-wit,
hammerhead,
hardhead,
idiot,
ignoramus,
imbecile,
jackass,
know-nothing,
knucklehead,
lamebrain,
loggerhead
[chiefly dialect],
loon,
lunkhead,
meathead,
mome
[archaic],
moron,
mug
[chiefly British],
mutt,
natural,
nimrod
[slang],
nincompoop,
ninny,
ninnyhammer,
nit
[chiefly British],
nitwit,
noddy,
noodle,
numskull
(or numbskull),
pinhead,
prat
[British],
ratbag
[chiefly Australian],
saphead,
schlub
(also shlub)
[slang],
schnook
[slang],
simp,
simpleton,
stock,
stupe,
stupid,
thickhead,
turkey,
woodenhead,
yahoo,
yo-yo

slouch

Antonyms & Near Antonyms for ape

Frequently Asked Questions About ape

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