Definition of copynext

copy

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to reproduce
to make an exact likeness of for the movie, set designers copied the Oval Office in the White House down to the smallest detail

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in to imitate
to use (someone or something) as the model for one's speech, mannerisms, or behavior she shamelessly copies her idol's hairstyle and fashion choices

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun copy differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of copy are duplicate, facsimile, replica, and reproduction. While all these words mean "a thing made to closely resemble another," copy applies especially to one of a number of things reproduced mechanically.

printed 1000 copies of the lithograph

When might duplicate be a better fit than copy?

While the synonyms duplicate and copy are close in meaning, duplicate implies a double or counterpart exactly corresponding to another thing.

a duplicate of a house key

When would facsimile be a good substitute for copy?

The words facsimile and copy can be used in similar contexts, but facsimile suggests a close reproduction often of graphic matter that may differ in scale.

a facsimile of a rare book

Where would replica be a reasonable alternative to copy?

Although the words replica and copy have much in common, replica implies the exact reproduction of a particular item in all details, but not always in the same scale.

a replica of the Mayflower
miniature replicas of classic cars

In what contexts can reproduction take the place of copy?

The words reproduction and copy are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, reproduction implies an exact or close imitation of an existing thing.

reproductions from the museum's furniture collection

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 copy
Noun
If footage could show your vehicle at home or somewhere else, preserve a copy as soon as possible. Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 9 Sep. 2026 No doubt this can be traced back to numerous flaws, but the main one is that the later opera was just a pale copy of its predecessor. Literary Hub, 9 Sep. 2026
Verb
Once personal information appears publicly online, it can be indexed or copied and combined with information already collected from public records and other sources. Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 10 Sep. 2026 As New York Times tech journalist Mike Isaac noticed, Zuckerberg apparently copied his Muse announcement from his platform Threads, where his AI agent already had the @muse handle, pasted it onto X, and accidentally tagged the rock band. Frank Landymore, Futurism, 9 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for copy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for copy
Noun
  • The exhibition is mostly screens, projections and reproductions, with a handful of great works from the 16th and 17th centuries and feels superficial at times.
    Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • These reproductions are surprisingly effective, partly because the tapestry was made by many hands to begin with, and free embroidery is not an art of finesse.
    John Phipps, New Yorker, 5 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • The aim is to validate and mature hardware under conditions that can be difficult to reproduce during ground testing.
    Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 10 Sep. 2026
  • Manage late-summer weeds The immediate priority is stopping mature late-summer weeds from reproducing.
    Manjot Kaur Sidhu, The Conversation, 10 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • And besides, there’s a theory that, with the meow, the cats were evolving to imitate us.
    Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • To make a famous ivory-navy-and-red bouclé suit worn by Coco herself, for example, the team used combs from Walmart to crosshatch the paint’s surface and added dollops of paint to imitate bouclé’s popcorn texture.
    Rachel Syme, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Just then, the strains of a familiar song wafted across the store, and Valencia and Zegarra followed it, past a Lightning McQueen replica, to a tiny area where a half-dozen child-size chairs were arranged before a screen.
    Daniel Alarcón, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2026
  • Accompanied by some technology — radars, satellite phones and whatnot — and a volleyball replica of Wilson from Castaway, Tez spent weeks in the Pacific with pods of dolphins, friendly seagulls and his own thoughts.
    Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • But the momentum of last season will be difficult to replicate.
    The Athletic NFL Staff, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Biohybrid robots replicate that process with electrodes that deliver electrical pulses to the muscles.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 8 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Schofield suggested that Harry and Markle consider emulating the example set by William and Middleton.
    Ashley Hume , Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2026
  • This dovetails with Enzo’s desire to emulate classic French movie star style, his favorite being Jean Gabin.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 4 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • On Lanai, one of Hawaii's smallest main islands, storm damage rendered a harbor that supplies much of the food and fuel to its 3,300 residents inoperable.
    GENE JOHNSON, Arkansas Online, 12 Sep. 2026
  • Almost everything in this vast, artificial indoor garden, including the surrounding stands of bamboo and a woebegone girl sprouting angel wings, is rendered in the Belgian artist’s signature ash gray.
    Miles Socha, Footwear News, 11 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • The Seattle Seahawks have gotten an offseason full of congratulations, their Super Bowl rings and now will get the chance to see the banner raised before kicking off this season with hopes of repeating.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 9 Sep. 2026
  • But repeating 14-3 and a trip to the Super Bowl feels highly unlikely with the Patriots having a much tougher schedule and needing to plug holes up front on defense.
    The Athletic NFL Staff, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Copy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/copy. Accessed 13 Sep. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster