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

Ryback shows the younger man's relaxation-as-growth around impressive set pieces, including a segment of aping famed concert pianists Alfred Brendel and Glenn Gould as well as Hoffman's blistering rant after a visit to Dachau. —Jim Higgins, jsonline.com, 22 Sep. 2025

There are high columns crawling with ivy, nearly 12 acres of rolling lawns, teensy windows with teensy shutters, and a diminutive pool house that apes a fairy-tale cottage. —Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 16 Sep. 2025

Noun

For instance, at one point the actor costumed as the ape in his lair behind the scenes moves steadily towards the camera, his proportions swelling to gigantic visual proportions. —Christopher Smith, Oc Register, 10 Sep. 2025

Various ape tribes fight for dominance, while human history has largely become the stuff of lore. —Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2025