as in imitators
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
Relevance
1
as in copies
to make an exact likeness of
asked her stylist to copycat a hairstyle from the magazine
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in imitates
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
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Recent Examples of copycats
Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 6 Jan. 2026
In addition to Lilli’s likeness, the contract also granted Marx the right to defend it from copycats.
—Literary Hub, 16 Dec. 2025
After all, would-be copycats are not the only observers.
—Jonathan Powell, The Conversation, 15 Dec. 2025
There was another culprit and likely multiple copycats, who were never caught.
—E. Alex Jung, Vulture, 11 Dec. 2025
Many of them were rather underwhelming – limited utility, weird forms, copycats and other subpar debuts – but a few stood tall above the pack.
—New Atlas, 29 Nov. 2025
Just like in fashion, there is a risk of getting tangled into trend cycles and copycats.
—Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 24 Nov. 2025
Novo Nordisk helped establish the market, but is losing market share to Eli Lilly and cheaper copycats and struggling to impress investors with its drug pipeline.
—Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 4 Nov. 2025
The two horror classics were made five years apart (1973 and 1978), and launched a bloody string of sequels and copycats.
—Keith Sharon, Nashville Tennessean, 30 Oct. 2025
Noun
In the week following Shirley’s viral video, a host of copycats went out to day-care facilities around the country and posted their own videos.
—Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 6 Jan. 2026
In addition to Lilli’s likeness, the contract also granted Marx the right to defend it from copycats.
—Literary Hub, 16 Dec. 2025
After all, would-be copycats are not the only observers.
—Jonathan Powell, The Conversation, 15 Dec. 2025
There was another culprit and likely multiple copycats, who were never caught.
—E. Alex Jung, Vulture, 11 Dec. 2025
Many of them were rather underwhelming – limited utility, weird forms, copycats and other subpar debuts – but a few stood tall above the pack.
—New Atlas, 29 Nov. 2025
Just like in fashion, there is a risk of getting tangled into trend cycles and copycats.
—Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 24 Nov. 2025
Novo Nordisk helped establish the market, but is losing market share to Eli Lilly and cheaper copycats and struggling to impress investors with its drug pipeline.
—Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 4 Nov. 2025
The two horror classics were made five years apart (1973 and 1978), and launched a bloody string of sequels and copycats.
—Keith Sharon, Nashville Tennessean, 30 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for copycats
Noun
-
Although Rudolph’s concrete architecture was more complex and soulful than that of many of his imitators, that difference was often overlooked.—
Anthony Paletta,
Curbed,
13 Jan. 2026
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The film introduced new slang into the lexicon, repopularized surf rock, and spawned dozens of fast-talking imitators.—
Katie Rife,
Entertainment Weekly,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Despite initial skepticism, the 1994 tournament drew record crowds and $50 million surplus, spurring MLS’s creation and innovations FIFA now copies worldwide.—
Kevin Baxter,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Jan. 2026
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Just look at Apple’s new product line that copies everything from the previous one, except the thickness.—
Alexander Puutio,
Forbes.com,
31 Dec. 2025
Verb
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And, because life sometimes imitates art, Williams and Storrie are heading to the Olympics.—
Anna Zucca,
Vanity Fair,
23 Jan. 2026
-
The layered neckline, with the bust peeking out from behind, imitates this season's hottest red carpet trend, the semi-visible bra.—
Kathleen Walsh,
Glamour,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Hippocrates and his followers held on to their belief in natural causes.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Zator hopes to take his followers along on a journey to state success.—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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One ecosystem reproduces itself through procedure; the other through attention.—
Güney Yıldız,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
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EagleMania not just reproduces the music of the famous rock band with their five-part harmony and guitar work but captures their distinct sound.—
Caroline Ritzie,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
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This rustic buffet cabinet from The Pioneer Woman’s Walmart collection emulates this traditional furniture piece with a few modernized updates.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
11 Jan. 2026
-
Everything from the stunning lighting design (courtesy of Justin Townsend) to Groff's crooning vocals emulates a '50s night club.—
Allison DeGrushe,
Entertainment Weekly,
27 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Especially in scenes featuring a band’s de facto leader and a willful drummer, there are also thematic echoes of Peter Jackson’s documentary about The Beatles, another example of the above dichotomy.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Jan. 2026
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The marketing and positioning of actresses in their roles is tougher than it’s been in recent years because of the insult machinery of man-boy social media and its echoes across society more widely.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The platform replicates acceleration, braking, pitching, and cornering precisely.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
28 Jan. 2026
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Its on-site Emirates hospitality suite replicates the interior of an A380 and serves some of the best cocktails at the tournament.—
Paula Conway,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Copycats.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/copycats. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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