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
Nicholson's fireworks would be subsequently aped, and amped up to over-the-top proportions, by other actors and by the future Batman villain himself. EW.com, 2 Mar. 2025 But, for the most part, all of these experiences pale in comparison to the other games that are being aped, the ones that are the apex of their genre. Echo Apsey, Rolling Stone, 20 Dec. 2024
Adjective
Every hominin species in the fossil record has its own unique mix of familiar human traits and more ape-like ones, shaped by their environments and lifestyles. Kiona N. Smith, Ars Technica, 30 Mar. 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
Noun
As this trilogy capper's title suggests, attempts at peace between apes and humans have failed miserably. Matt Cabral, EW.com, 23 Feb. 2025 However, the part of Williams is played by an anthropomorphic chimpanzee (actor Jonno Davies in a motion capture ape suit, then rendered using computer generation). Rudie Obias, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ape
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ape
Verb
  • Christians are to imitate Christ, the true Good Samaritan, called to view all as nothing less than kin in sin and in the promise of salvation.
    Anna Rowlands, Time, 12 May 2025
  • Volunteers rappelled from the top of a building as sirens went off and firecrackers erupted — apparently to imitate shelling in one drill in the Indian port city of Mumbai.
    Diaa Hadid, NPR, 7 May 2025
Adjective
  • And yet our maniac coach is playing everyone too many minutes, including the injury prone players.
    James L. Edwards III, The Athletic, 14 Jan. 2025
  • At first glance, Torres’ debut film seems like a quirky, millennial visual feast about a desperate El Salvadorian and a maniac artist.
    The Arizona Republic, The Arizona Republic, 14 Mar. 2024
Noun
  • 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
  • But thanks to a meager fossil record, the question of where this first anthropoid was born has remained open.
    Rachel Preiser, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2019
Verb
  • Sadly, not even id Software themselves are trying to emulate them with The Dark Ages.
    Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 15 May 2025
  • The deck also includes a noise reduction circuit that emulates Dolby B, enabling it to play pre-recorded Dolby B cassette tapes.
    Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025
Adjective
  • 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
  • The dissolve to a commercial break a moment later was silent, with no applause; the discourse the following week was predictably berserk.
    Vulture Staff, Vulture, 16 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • After the release of Elden Ring, a famously difficult bestseller, Musk posted a screenshot of his character, but his build instantly exposed him as a poser.
    Dani Di Placido, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025
  • This poser is hard to work through when we are only given the text.
    Jack Murtagh, Scientific American, 14 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • That’s a sure way to invite not only raccoons but other unwanted guests such as mice, opossums, and skunks.
    Arricca Elin SanSone, Southern Living, 7 May 2025
  • While pesticides sprayed on crops and the Varroa mite both pose major risks for honey bees, bears and skunks can also be destructive predators to colonies, according to Hesbach.
    Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 7 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • But many others require clinicians to copy and paste transcripts, adding friction instead of removing it.
    Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 May 2025
  • To Goldsborough, the fact that Joker's behavior got copied by his peers reveals the strength of these monkeys' drive to learn from others, even if the behavior doesn't completely make sense or have an obvious, immediate benefit.
    Nell Greenfieldboyce, NPR, 19 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Ape.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ape. Accessed 23 May. 2025.

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