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
What sets Fay apart, too, is the harmonious amalgamation of characteristically Italian design with the sensibility of New England—and its earnest commitment not to appropriating or copying a certain aesthetic, but to embracing it authentically and blending it perfectly with Fay’s own design values.
—
Caroline Reilly, Robb Report, 3 Jan. 2025
Over time, the tradition gained cultural significance, and many started copying it in the hopes of a prosperous year ahead.
—George Monastiriakos, Newsweek, 31 Dec. 2024
Its instant nature means people send too many emails, often copying unnecessary recipients.
—Eric Markowitz, Big Think, 30 Dec. 2024
Instead of copying Swift and Kelce exactly, this film finds football fan Alana (played by Hunter King) falling for the team's director of engagement, Derrick (played by Tyler Hynes).
—Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 18 Dec. 2024
Natalie Ebel thinks companies have been copying her clever names, like her sage-green Weekend Upstate.
—Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 16 Dec. 2024
In the early Seventies, Miller’s family sued a British bandleader who was copying Miller’s sound without the estate’s permission.
—David Browne, Rolling Stone, 15 Dec. 2024
Backing up files for protection and copying files to extort a ransom look identical from a behavioral standpoint.
—Danny Jenkins, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
Thus, the attention won't likely criminalize anyone but for the pre-disposed the motivation and technique for copying the crime is there.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024
Caroline Reilly, Robb Report, 3 Jan. 2025
Over time, the tradition gained cultural significance, and many started copying it in the hopes of a prosperous year ahead.
—George Monastiriakos, Newsweek, 31 Dec. 2024
Its instant nature means people send too many emails, often copying unnecessary recipients.
—Eric Markowitz, Big Think, 30 Dec. 2024
Instead of copying Swift and Kelce exactly, this film finds football fan Alana (played by Hunter King) falling for the team's director of engagement, Derrick (played by Tyler Hynes).
—Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 18 Dec. 2024
Natalie Ebel thinks companies have been copying her clever names, like her sage-green Weekend Upstate.
—Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 16 Dec. 2024
In the early Seventies, Miller’s family sued a British bandleader who was copying Miller’s sound without the estate’s permission.
—David Browne, Rolling Stone, 15 Dec. 2024
Backing up files for protection and copying files to extort a ransom look identical from a behavioral standpoint.
—Danny Jenkins, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
Thus, the attention won't likely criminalize anyone but for the pre-disposed the motivation and technique for copying the crime is there.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for copying
Verb
-
The sketch sees Sarah Sherman imitating Wood’s Chelsea, cartoonishly wide-eyed, donned in large false teeth and speaking in a thick accent.—
Claire Franken,
TVLine,
13 Apr. 2025
-
The company uses data and AI learning to simulate attacks that go beyond just imitating an individual’s voice – like most modern sophisticated phishing attacks, the technology uses details about someone’s family, background, personality and more.—
Laya Neelakandan,
CNBC,
2 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
This means that the color rendering under a light source should be as natural as possible compared to daylight.—
Desireé Oostland,
Vogue,
31 Dec. 2024
-
Some celebrities have been accused of operating pump-and-dump schemes with their coins, using their social media following to artificially inflate the value of these coins before cashing in their large holdings and rendering the coins worthless.—
Ben Dandridge-Lemco,
Rolling Stone,
29 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
As a kid in Los Angeles’s Chatsworth neighborhood, growing up on a property that had once belonged to cowboy star Roy Rogers, Kilmer began studying acting in grammar school, already dreaming of emulating Hollywood’s eccentric nonpareil, Marlon Brando.—
Tom Gliatto,
People.com,
8 Apr. 2025
-
Simply brush the head of one brow upwards and angle the hairs towards the bridge of your nose, emulating the charm of a browlick.—
Megan Decker,
Refinery29,
31 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Inspired by the challenge of replicating human-like precision in physical tasks, the team embarked on a journey to build a basketball-playing robot.—
Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report,
Fox News,
27 Dec. 2024
-
The team attached seven commercially available strain gauges to a flexible wing structure replicating hummingbird wings.—
Kapil Kajal,
Interesting Engineering,
27 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Copying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/copying. Accessed 1 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share