copy 1 of 2

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
There was only ever one copy of the album created, an intentional choice by RZA, the leader of the group, and Dutch Moroccan rapper and producer Cilvaringz, who felt the streaming age was cheapening music. Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 14 Jan. 2026 Follow Fran Drescher’s lead with her latest copy-worthy beauty look. Eva Thomas, InStyle, 14 Jan. 2026
Verb
Legitimate macOS fixes almost never require you to blindly run scripts copied from the internet. Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 2 Jan. 2026 This speaks to the tension with AI models right now and the fear from creatives about being edged out by AI models that are capable of copying the style of artists, designers, filmmakers, and more. Tom Warren, The Verge, 2 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for copy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for copy
Noun
  • Teaching robots to feel To address this challenge, a research team from Japan developed a new adaptive motion reproduction system based on Gaussian process regression.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 14 Jan. 2026
  • Midcentury Furniture Keep an eye out for name-brand midcentury furniture—it can sometimes get lost amongst all the cheap reproductions.
    Heather Bien, Martha Stewart, 12 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Whitman traces how this legal foundation evolved into a broader moral menace that became a durable template in Western capitalism that was repeatedly reproduced.
    Valerie L. Myers, The Conversation, 8 Jan. 2026
  • Sadly for Jeep, its dealers couldn’t reproduce that magic in 2025 despite consolidating the two into a single model.
    Byron Hurd, The Drive, 8 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • James said while walking through the venue, imitating her excitement.
    Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 6 Jan. 2026
  • When anchors John Dickerson and Maurice DuBois took over CBS Evening News last year, part of the network’s strategy was to imitate a local news format, with a genial cast of personalities reporting from the field.
    Max Tani, semafor.com, 5 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Ted Sarandos, the co-CEO of Netflix, keeps a replica of the Rosebud sled in his home.
    Reeves Wiedeman, Vulture, 12 Jan. 2026
  • But in 12 of the cases, the person targeted was not armed, including several people who were later found in possession of replica firearms.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Mpro, an enzyme that allows SARS-CoV-2 to replicate in host cells, holds structural similarities.
    Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Jan. 2026
  • Such observations can be replicated in the lab.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 7 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Snag it in black to emulate Aniston or choose from four other versatile colors including burgundy and heather gray.
    Jordan Julian, InStyle, 6 Jan. 2026
  • Because if Philly can emulate any of its offensive firepower from a season ago, its defense is absolutely still a championship-caliber one.
    Andrew Greif, NBC news, 5 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • This transformation renders the target — the frozen limit — a finite object that a finite computer can handle.
    Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 9 Jan. 2026
  • Its three glittering diamonds had a powerful effect on Sophie Rhys-Jones—rendering her speechless.
    Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 9 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Welfare advocates, long highly critical of the San Jose animal shelter, are warning of a potential legal fight if the agency fails to improve animal care — accusing the city of neglect, gross negligence and repeating violations of state law.
    Devan Patel, Mercury News, 14 Jan. 2026
  • History suggests that without robust organization, protest cycles repeat fruitlessly—or worse, create openings for intervention or authoritarian alternatives.
    Narges Bajoghli, Time, 13 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Copy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/copy. Accessed 15 Jan. 2026.

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