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
An army of Janeites, no doubt wielding their worn copies of Sense and Sensibility, are marching into cinemas around the world to watch an adaptation for a whole new generation. — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 15 Oct. 2026 The Justice Department's Civil Rights Division has filed 31 lawsuits in an effort to force states to hand over unredacted copies of their voter rolls. — Sarah N. Lynch, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026
Verb
Users copy and paste a product link into the app to create a listing in less than 10 seconds using artificial intelligence to pull product details from the retailer’s link. — Kanika Talwar, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026 Founder Yang Tao said the goal extends beyond copying human anatomy. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for copy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for copy
Noun
  • Male zebrafish develop special structures on their pectoral fins that help with reproduction.
    — Junsu Kang, The Conversation, 5 Oct. 2026
  • This exhibit displays body parts and specimens crucial to human development and reproduction.
    — Emma Hall October 3, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Made using flexible materials, the model reproduced important features of the natural stinger’s pumping cycle, helping confirm how the valves deform and squeeze past each other.
    — Mike McRae October 12, New Atlas, 13 Oct. 2026
  • That would reproduce the operating model companies are trying to improve.
    — Jason Wojahn, Forbes.com, 13 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The museum brought a tremendous wow factor that cities around the world were soon clamoring to imitate.
    — Robb Report, Robb Report, 9 Oct. 2026
  • OpenAI denied intentionally imitating Johansson’s voice and later withdrew the feature.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 5 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • The Southern Alps are an almost exact replica of the Himalayas in terms of their lot formations and crevasse fields, according to Hiddleston.
    — Tamara Southward, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The trio also talked about building a replica of the Young statue, which would be placed in the Renaissance Center once it is revamped.
    — Carol Cain, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The tailoring brand was founded in Osaka in 1954 and got its start replicating Ivy League style.
    — Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 12 Oct. 2026
  • The crisp exterior and savory undertone are hard to replicate with vegetable oil, and anyone who tries a side-by-side notices immediately.
    — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Charlotte Observer, 12 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Chanel, Dior, Toteme, and Khaite spun the historically casual pants into something quite elegant, inspiring me to find ways to emulate the look in my own daily life this season.
    — Bianca Kratky, Glamour, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Those prompts and responses then become training data for the student, usually through a process called supervised fine-tuning, which treats the teacher’s answers as targets the student should try to emulate.
    — Peter Hall, Scientific American, 7 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • All of this can make inflation a self-fulfilling prophecy, rendering the monetary policy tools at the Fed's disposal less effective in slowing price growth.
    — Alex Harring, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Vivier’s signature buckle can be rendered in gold or silver, with colored brass available on select styles.
    — Thomas Waller, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • To create a full tiling, just repeat this process over and over again, ad infinitum.
    — Rachel Crowell, Scientific American, 12 Oct. 2026
  • This sort of puzzling connection between text and image is repeated throughout the exhibition.
    — Stephanie Wambugu, Vulture, 12 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Copy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/copy. Accessed 18 Oct. 2026.

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