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
Annika Kim Constantino,elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 11 Feb. 2026
The copycats in the lower leagues can’t rely on that, and the football has become distinctly more old-school, with many more headers per game than, say, five years ago.
—Michael Cox, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2026
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
Noun
Meanwhile, in the compounding market, the share of copycats for Novo's drug far outweighs that of Lilly's.
—Annika Kim Constantino,elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 11 Feb. 2026
The copycats in the lower leagues can’t rely on that, and the football has become distinctly more old-school, with many more headers per game than, say, five years ago.
—Michael Cox, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for copycats
Noun
-
The imitators are increasingly convincing, especially as AI image and video generators get better by the day.—
John Whyte,
STAT,
17 Feb. 2026
-
That's the beloved appetizer consisting of six yellow peppers stuffed with shrimp that family matriarch Carmen Murguia brought to California from the border town of Mexicali, creating what may be the area’s most popular Mexican dish and inspiring countless imitators.—
USA TODAY NETWORK,
USA Today,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
From about 2011 to 2014, Gates emails Epstein directly, and often one of the pair copies Cohen or Nikolic.—
Erin Mansfield,
USA Today,
5 Feb. 2026
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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
Verb
-
Patagonia’s proprietary synthetic fill imitates down’s structure by spinning air-trapping microfilaments around a central fiber and requires fewer stabilizing seams and baffles than down.—
Kelly Bastone,
Outside,
10 Feb. 2026
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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
Noun
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Named after the 19th-Century Foreign Secretary and Prime Minister Viscount Palmerston, the cat quickly garnered a large online fanbase, boasting nearly 100,000 followers as of Tuesday who closely tracked his adventures across Westminster.—
Lex Harvey,
CNN Money,
17 Feb. 2026
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Overnight sensations usually gain followers.—
Seija Rankin,
HollywoodReporter,
17 Feb. 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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Lent is a 40-day period of fasting and prayer that emulates Jesus Christ's time in the desert.—
Chris Sims,
Louisville Courier Journal,
18 Feb. 2026
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The 60-second spot emulates a karaoke screen at a bar, with basic computer animation and less-than-stylish graphics.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
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These kinds of echoes were all over the two shows.—
David A. Graham,
The Atlantic,
9 Feb. 2026
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That quotation alludes to the many Proustian echoes in Bowen’s story set in an aristocratic Big House during the 1919-21 War of Independence.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The Wall replicates an ultra fan setting straight out of a European or South American soccer match.—
David K. Li,
NBC news,
12 Feb. 2026
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The other big hit for me was Spellbound by Magic Castle, an experience inspired by the legendary magician Cardini (Richard Valentine Pitchford) that replicates a 1920s speakeasy complete with mood lighting, furnishings, and curiosities from Hollywood’s Magic Castle.—
Fran Golden,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Copycats.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/copycats. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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