copycatting

Definition of copycattingnext
present participle of copycat
1
2
as in imitating
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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for copycatting
Verb
  • Join me in copying Pidgeon’s spring-ready lip look while the Rom&nd Juicy Lasting Tint is only $14.
    Izzy Baskette, PEOPLE, 19 Apr. 2026
  • By copying the strut and behavior of real males, the robotic birds are meant to attract younger grouse and encourage them to start a new breeding site in a safer location.
    Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 14 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Both of us remember childhood weekends spent recording our own camcorder sketch shows — Lee imitating Dana Carvey’s Ross Perot and Molly Shannon’s Mary Catherine Gallagher, Jenn pushing the boundaries of absurdism far past the point of actually getting laughs.
    Lee Kelly, PEOPLE, 12 Apr. 2026
  • The upcoming season of Nobody Wants This includes a bit more art imitating life after Timothy Simons‘ recent hair experiment.
    Glenn Garner, Deadline, 11 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Rather than reproducing Monroe’s public mythology, Oates invents a fictional interior life for Norma Jeane Baker, exploring the psychological cost of becoming a cultural icon.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Apr. 2026
  • After that, two of her daughters (siblings from a 2019 litter) began reproducing sequentially.
    Jeanna Bryner, Scientific American, 15 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Maintain situational awareness of your wares and marketplace, emulating those who have successfully led before you and, more importantly, keeping a close watch on your top competitors.
    Rolling Stone Culture Council, Rolling Stone, 15 Apr. 2026
  • Another friendly, to take place before facing Mexico, is also in the pipeline ahead of Popovic inking his final 26-man squad; one that will carry Australian hopes of emulating their round of 16 appearances in Germany at the 2006 edition and then Qatar 2022 — and the dream of even more.
    Michael Bailey, New York Times, 1 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • These devices can actively stimulate real brain cells, going beyond just replicating neural behavior in theory.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 15 Apr. 2026
  • This highly advanced race of insectoid machines is built from tiny blocks and is capable of — as the name suggests — replicating itself by eating technology.
    Daryl Baxter, Space.com, 14 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • But the series’ genre switch is just a theatrical exercise, like Euphoria is putting on another play, this one against a Harmony Korine– and Quentin Tarantino–aping backdrop.
    Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 8 Apr. 2026
  • The re-enactments, which include bomb-making and transportation, as well as the three-pronged plan to escape, have a flavor that calls to mind ’70s heist and spy films, accompanied by Michael James Lee’s jaunty, genre-aping score.
    Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 13 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Antibodies that my body developed to fight the mycoplasma bacteria also destroyed my red blood cells, rendering me briefly anemic.
    Jerome Groopman, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026
  • Upon arrival, officers saw Long Beach firefighters rendering medical aid to the victim, who was lying in the road.
    Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 5 Apr. 2026
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.

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Copycatting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/copycatting. Accessed 22 Apr. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster