copycat 1 of 2

noun

ˈkä-pē-ˌkat How to pronounce copycat (audio)
Definition of copycatnext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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copycat

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to copy
to make an exact likeness of asked her stylist to copycat a hairstyle from the magazine

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Another danger is copycat FIFA sites. — ABC News, 17 June 2026 This copycat recipe stars crunchy cabbage and carrots in a sweet-yet-tangy dressing. — Maggie Meyer Glisan, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 June 2026
Verb
But factors including insurance coverage, pricing, copycat drugs and the development of new pills will ultimately determine how far the treatments will reach. — Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 2 Nov. 2025 Maybe don’t copycat Netflix so much, other streamers. — Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 21 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for copycat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for copycat
  1. imitator
  2. copy
  3. imitate
  4. follower
  5. replicate
  6. emulate
  7. echo
  8. reproduce
Noun
  • But the arrival of Buc-ee's supercharged the trend and spawned imitators like Wally's, which has three 50,000-square-foot locations in the Midwest, with plans for more.
    — Kevin Williams, CNBC, 2 July 2026
  • The frontier labs keep shipping the next capability while the imitators are still training on the last one, and the value keeps accruing to whoever is ahead rather than to whoever copied the leader's previous answers.
    — Jon Markman, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026
Definition of imitator
Verb
  • While copying the last testament of his predecessor—which warned of the dire need for a strong military—the young Dalai Lama discovered that corrupt officials were embezzling army funds.
    — Charlie Campbell, Time, 9 July 2026
  • And there’s no doubt that when people know, a lot will want to copy that same style.
    — Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 9 July 2026
Definition of copy
Verb
  • Rather than forcing every filmmaker to imitate Raimi, the IP has evolved into one of genre’s most generous proving grounds.
    — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 8 July 2026
  • In addition, Meadowlands can spoof enemy assets by imitating the specific, complex waveforms used by military and commercial satellite networks.
    — David Szondy July 06, New Atlas, 7 July 2026
Definition of imitate
Noun
  • That’s not unusual among followers of Shia Islam, whose tradition is one of outward displays of faith.
    — Frederik Pleitgen, CNN Money, 11 July 2026
  • Across the country, agitators on the left and the right are increasingly flirting with antisemitic tropes, conspiracy theories and in-jokes to bring in new followers.
    — Will Carless, USA Today, 10 July 2026
Definition of follower
Verb
  • Infrastructure In infrastructure, the analysts said investors should look at companies that own critical networks such as grids, pipelines, fiber networks and transport assets that are difficult to replicate.
    — Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 8 July 2026
  • This chamber replicates a laboratory setting, showcasing special effects prosthetics, creature designs, makeup concept artwork, and artifacts from historical to contemporary science horror films.
    — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 8 July 2026
Definition of replicate
Verb
  • After the season ended, Lakers president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka cited Mitchell’s progression between the guard’s first and second years as a model for player development the Lakers wanted to emulate.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2026
  • After the United States was founded in 1776, leaders like Thomas Jefferson chose to emulate classical architecture when building its Washington, DC, capital as a nod to the democratic ideals of the Greek and Roman empires.
    — Elizabeth Fazzare, Architectural Digest, 4 July 2026
Definition of emulate
Noun
  • The rural storytelling and fiddle music on the frontier inspired the emergence and growth of commercial country music and bluegrass music, while echoes of acoustic blues and protest songs can be heard in modern R&B and hip-hop.
    — Ted Olson, The Conversation, 2 July 2026
  • These trades also feel like a bizarro echo of a deal by previous Canucks management almost exactly one year ago.
    — Thomas Drance, New York Times, 30 June 2026
Definition of echo
Verb
  • There was a recent study that estimated a machine now could reproduce 70% of its mass.
    — Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 9 July 2026
  • The pond is overstocked as a result of the fish naturally reproducing, Zibert said.
    — Zuri Primos July 8, Kansas City Star, 8 July 2026
Definition of reproduce

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Cite this Entry

“Copycat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/copycat. Accessed 12 Jul. 2026.

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