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copy

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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
Once the copies are made, keep them on hand and store the originals in a safe and secure place, Velasquez said. Alyssa N. Salcedo, jsonline.com, 27 Oct. 2025 Police say the fake was likely a copy from the 20th century owned by an 84-year-old Swiss woman, who is now also under investigation by German and Swiss authorities. NPR, 26 Oct. 2025
Verb
How the phishing email scam works Phishing emails copy trusted companies to create panic and urgency. Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2025 Defensive tackle Milton Williams believes the issue with slow starts is that teams see what’s working against the Patriots early as part of their offensive game script and copy it. Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 26 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for copy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for copy
Noun
  • The Givenchy couture atelier created four iterations of the little black dress—one original and three reproductions.
    Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 27 Oct. 2025
  • Their innovation, called retina E-paper, uses nanoparticles to control how light scatters, achieving lifelike color reproduction that can be tuned electrically.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce, distribute, or transmit in any form or by any means.
    Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025
  • To recreate an extinct species exactly, evolution would have to reproduce not just its traits but its entire genetic code — an impossibly specific combination.
    Big Think, Big Think, 29 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Tribeca Festival Lisboa programmer Fabio Martins sees originality and emotional truth going further to help Portuguese filmmakers reach international audiences than imitating popular trends in global cinema.
    Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 28 Oct. 2025
  • Maybe that was just art-making imitating life.
    Thomas Page, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • This year, a replica of the Seneca Chief, which carried Clinton in 1825, set out from Buffalo on the canal.
    JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 26 Oct. 2025
  • At the Casamigos Halloween Party, the singer wore an embellished Dodgers baseball uniform, a replica of the ensemble Elton John wore for his concerts at Dodger Stadium in 1975.
    Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • My introductory archaeology students try their hand at experimental archaeology by attempting to replicate a prehistoric bone awl (piercing tool).
    JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 28 Oct. 2025
  • That phrase had replicated itself across web domains, YouTube channels, Twitter (now X) accounts, Facebook pages and WhatsApp groups.
    Snigdha Poonam, The Dial, 28 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Developed with the biomaterials innovation company Bolt, the Goddess formulation emulates the properties of spider silk, which is known for its strength and flexibility.
    Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 28 Oct. 2025
  • That is the spirit the Kennedy Institute will honor tonight, the ideal that guided its namesake’s work, and the worthy example that all who go to Washington to do the people’s business should strive to emulate.
    Martin J. Walsh, Boston Herald, 26 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Jenner went with a cohesive look, pairing the light brown boots with a Fendi suit rendered in a rich chocolate hue.
    Kelsey Stewart, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2025
  • That said, while each companion’s abilities bring something to the table, they get downed by enemies a lot, which renders their abilities unusable until they can be revived.
    Jason Fanelli, Rolling Stone, 23 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • North Korean officials had told them that Megumi died in 1994 from suicide, a claim repeated by her daughter.
    Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 28 Oct. 2025
  • The New York Yankees failed to repeat as American League champions this year.
    Aaliyan Mohammed, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Copy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/copy. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.

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