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
Advertisement Advertisement Less visible, yet just as dangerous, is a wave of copycat bills in statehouses and local governments across the country—over 160 this year alone—mirroring federal attempts to use voter silencing laws to take away the votes of eligible Americans. Hannah Fried, Time, 16 Sep. 2025 What began as a seasonal special has snowballed into a billion-dollar phenomenon, with copycats and competitors scrambling to ride the wave of fall flavors. Lanee Lee, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 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
Noun
  • In several other 2025 cases, ICE agent imitators have been seeking social media clout or making a political point.
    Allison Gordon, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Over the past two decades, China has risen from imitator to innovator, advancing rapidly in new energy, robotics, batteries and drones—and related military power.
    Rebecca A. Fannin, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • This team doesn’t need to copy last year’s.
    Pete Sampson, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
  • At one point the kid started copying him and was yelling the same things and the family was laughing.
    Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 29 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The fact that these programs are becoming adept at imitating consciousness, however, may be all that matters for now.
    Webb Wright, The Atlantic, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Multiple images of Trump then pop up behind the New York lawmaker seemingly to imitate a mariachi band.
    Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Another client of Meinadier’s is Zach Lugo, a skateboarder with 10 million TikTok followers who gained followers for his comedic content.
    Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 30 Sep. 2025
  • Lee, one of the few female religious leaders of the 18th century, and her followers were known for worshipping through ecstatic song and movement.
    Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 30 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Other researchers took a look at the data and found that inorganic processes or terrestrial contamination could replicate all the evidence from the meteorite.
    Keith Cooper, Space.com, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Ultimately, America’s culture of innovation is a decisive advantage that China has struggled to replicate.
    Rebecca A. Fannin, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The actress wanted to her look to emulate French actresses like Bibi Anderson and Liv Ullman as well as Swedish actress, Gunnel Lindblum, and brought these references to Nollet for her transformation.
    Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 30 Sep. 2025
  • The project is a continuation of the team’s cooperative filmmaking model, emulating Lugacy’s previous feature film, the Independent Spirit Award nominated This Is Not A War Story which was acquired by Warner OneFifty for HBO Max.
    Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 30 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • There is nothing remotely motivating to be found in those vacant and echo-y rooms.
    Kate Colby October 2, Literary Hub, 2 Oct. 2025
  • In days, they will be gone, and with them, the only remaining echo of the heart of Ruidoso’s tourism economy.
    Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • These filaments have long been observed in real clusters like Perseus but never before reproduced in a simulation.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 1 Oct. 2025
  • No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
    Irene Yoo September 26, Literary Hub, 26 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Copycat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/copycat. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.

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