1
as in reproducing
to make an exact likeness of
for the movie, set designers copied the Oval Office in the White House down to the smallest detail
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in imitating
to use (someone or something) as the model for one's speech, mannerisms, or behavior
she shamelessly copies her idol's hairstyle and fashion choices
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 copying
The director’s boss also began copying Amber on emails requesting data.
—
Chris Lipp, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Big data models learn by copying existing actions—how to fold clothes, write a dissertation, or create a video of a pig hoverboarding through space—by parsing previous examples and extrapolating similar behavior.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 27 Jan. 2026
Other complaints involved inmates’ inability to access law libraries, legal forms and copying services.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 20 Jan. 2026
In a room that size, a teacher can notice who understands, who’s copying, and if anyone is silently stuck.
—Maria Williams, USA Today, 17 Jan. 2026
This is less a case of copying the neighbours and more a case of following what has long been recognised within youth development circles as best practice.
—Oliver Kay, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2026
Chips Ahoy and Oreo parent company Mondelez sued Aldi last year, alleging that the discounter is copying the packaging of its competitors to confuse shoppers.
—Melissa Repko, CNBC, 12 Jan. 2026
Instead of compressing at the pixel level, the algorithm appears to be copying and manipulating objects from multiple images, while maintaining a degree of visual continuity.
—Alex Reisner, The Atlantic, 9 Jan. 2026
And by prohibiting rival companies from copying patented designs and technology, the intellectual property system incents firms to invent their own, even-better products.
—David J. Kappos, Fortune, 8 Jan. 2026
Chris Lipp, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Big data models learn by copying existing actions—how to fold clothes, write a dissertation, or create a video of a pig hoverboarding through space—by parsing previous examples and extrapolating similar behavior.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 27 Jan. 2026
Other complaints involved inmates’ inability to access law libraries, legal forms and copying services.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 20 Jan. 2026
In a room that size, a teacher can notice who understands, who’s copying, and if anyone is silently stuck.
—Maria Williams, USA Today, 17 Jan. 2026
This is less a case of copying the neighbours and more a case of following what has long been recognised within youth development circles as best practice.
—Oliver Kay, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2026
Chips Ahoy and Oreo parent company Mondelez sued Aldi last year, alleging that the discounter is copying the packaging of its competitors to confuse shoppers.
—Melissa Repko, CNBC, 12 Jan. 2026
Instead of compressing at the pixel level, the algorithm appears to be copying and manipulating objects from multiple images, while maintaining a degree of visual continuity.
—Alex Reisner, The Atlantic, 9 Jan. 2026
And by prohibiting rival companies from copying patented designs and technology, the intellectual property system incents firms to invent their own, even-better products.
—David J. Kappos, Fortune, 8 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for copying
Verb
-
The development of European cartography was driven by the Age of Exploration from the 15th to 17th centuries and entrepreneurial activities associated with reproducing and selling maps.—
Melinda Laituri,
The Conversation,
4 Feb. 2026
-
If some species can continue reproducing even under challenging conditions, that resilience could buy ecosystems valuable time.—
Melissa Cristina Márquez,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, previously said in a statement that accounts imitating other people go against their terms of service and are removed when flagged.—
Jessica Sager,
PEOPLE,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Broncos fans have rallied around their backup quarterback, with thousands of fans changing their social media avatars to a picture of Stidham’s face, photoshopped with sunglasses and headphones, imitating a LeBron James meme.—
Doug Kyed,
Boston Herald,
25 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
After rendering a contemporary Native American community in specific, surreal, often hilarious detail in Reservation Dogs, Sterlin Harjo turned to noir with The Lowdown.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
13 Feb. 2026
-
This method also had the practical downside of rendering my colander unusable for straining the rigatoni for my Wednesday-night pasta alla vodka.—
Alma Avalle,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The amber hue of the beaded chokers acts as a neutral color against the lapis-blue top, emulating a similar warmth to the yellow-gold pendant to tie the accessories together.—
Abby Morgan Lebet,
Glamour,
3 Feb. 2026
-
Brosnan, as Steele, was always impeccably turned out; Newsom began emulating him, coiffing his hair, wearing a suit to school.—
Maya Singer,
Vogue,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
To create the new estimate, scientists conducted experiments replicating core temperatures and pressures, using iron as a stand-in for the liquid metal core.—
Mindy Weisberger,
CNN Money,
10 Feb. 2026
-
For one thing, having an arsenal of outfits that people cannot stop thinking about (and replicating) decades later.—
Christian Allaire,
Vogue,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Then, while breathing through your mouth, allow the solution to flow in and drain out the opposite nostril before repeating on the other side.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
8 Feb. 2026
-
But history, which has a funny way of repeating itself, suggests otherwise.—
Stephen Mihm,
Twin Cities,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
But current and former leaders of foster care agencies told the Tampa Bay Times last year that the claims were exaggerated or false, and that the Hope Florida program was duplicating existing efforts in child welfare.—
Alexandra Glorioso,
Miami Herald,
13 Jan. 2026
-
McGee offers the example of duplicating triangle points by adding a prep faucet near the refrigerator.—
Kristina McGuirk,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Copying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/copying. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
