copycat 1 of 2

as in imitator
a person who adopts the appearance or behavior of another especially in an obvious way every rock singer who makes it big soon has a whole cluster of copycats

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copycat

2 of 2

verb

1
2
as in to imitate
to use (someone or something) as the model for one's speech, mannerisms, or behavior a performer who slavishly copycats another never rises to the level of true stardom

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 copycat
Noun
The copycats, including a former Zante employee, got to work immediately. Hannah Goldfield, The New Yorker, 24 Mar. 2025 Why It Matters Authorities said the incidents were politically motivated and did not want to see copycats. Dan Perry, Newsweek, 18 Mar. 2025
Verb
Park mentioned the case of the Boston Marathon Bomber, in which social media led to misidentification of suspects, and possibly to copycat cases. Michael M. Dewitt, USA TODAY, 29 Oct. 2021 Its new twist on phishing alerts, though, could give it and copycat criminal hackers one more edge in a fight that’s already unfair. Brian Barrett, Wired, 14 Oct. 2021 See All Example Sentences for copycat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for copycat
Verb
  • At the time, van Rossum’s font was allegedly copied illegally and reissued as the font XBand-Rough, which was free to use and widely accessible, per a Bluesky user.
    Nicholas Rice, People.com, 3 May 2025
  • Unlike other brands, Lexus has had great success with their long lasting naming convention, to the likes of others who have copied the idea.
    Marc D. Grasso, Boston Herald, 1 May 2025
Verb
  • Its release created a wave of immense hype—and existential panic—about AI's ability to imitate human communication and composition.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 30 Apr. 2025
  • At its core is the capability of computer systems or algorithms to imitate intelligent human behavior – and in some cases improve how to interpret large amounts of data to make decisions and solve problems.
    Jill Standish, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Pope Francis, the first head of the Catholic Church from the Americas and a champion of people on the margins, passed away at age 88 on Easter Monday, leaving vacant his seat at the head of the ancient institution with 1.4 billion followers worldwide.
    Michael Loria, USA Today, 3 May 2025
  • The strange thing, perhaps, is that a good proportion of Beckham’s social media followers might not see Beckham as a former footballer.
    Daniel Taylor, New York Times, 2 May 2025
Verb
  • According to the analysts, AI cannot replicate managing teams and handling customer relationships that require emotional intelligence and decision-making. 10.
    Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025
  • Technically, what Teal replicates is an in-office HPV test—but because a large body of research has found that HPV testing is generally more effective at preventing cervical cancer than Pap smears, the screening recommendations for most people already emphasize the former.
    Erica Sloan, SELF, 9 May 2025
Verb
  • Bakker, in particular, was emulated by drag queens in the South during her ‘80s heyday for her heavy makeup and gaudy dress.
    Scottie Andrew, CNN Money, 3 May 2025
  • Their contributions ensured the species was no longer on the brink and their legacy became a conservation model worth emulating.
    Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 27 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The finish is long and slightly tannic, offering echoes of spiced wine and fig jam.
    Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025
  • The film appeared to have echoes to the Charles Sobhraj case, even down to the nickname of the antagonist.
    Abid Rahman, HollywoodReporter, 29 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Over the past several decades, these cells have been reproduced millions of times, meaning that today's production does not require additional fetal tissue and does not involve ongoing abortions.
    Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025
  • This ripple effect builds leaders who reproduce leaders.
    Sandra Balogun, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Misdiagnoses are possible, the FDA cautioned, as symptoms may mimic allergic reactions or other skin conditions, delaying appropriate treatment.
    Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 May 2025
  • In some of the biography’s most captivating pages, for example, Delisle mimics Muybridge’s ingenious in-motion photographs.
    Bob Blaisdell, Christian Science Monitor, 8 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Copycat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/copycat. Accessed 14 May. 2025.

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