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
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
Rather than chasing trends or copying what already works elsewhere, Salomon is investing in research and testing to guide their development process.
—Cory Smith, Outside, 8 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
This has prompted researchers to develop more reliable methods for copying quantum data.
—Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 7 Jan. 2026
The owners of the original accuse the new restaurant of copying them.
—Charlie De Mar, CBS News, 6 Jan. 2026
This speaks to the tension with AI models right now and the fear from creatives about being edged out by AI models that are capable of copying the style of artists, designers, filmmakers, and more.
—Tom Warren, The Verge, 2 Jan. 2026
Opportunities are most visible in green technology, industrial automation, advanced manufacturing, and applied AI — sectors where China is pace setting and shaping standards rather than copying them.
—Dewardric L. McNeal, CNBC, 31 Dec. 2025
The American robotics firms are copying Apple’s playbook, focusing on designing a few high-quality products, but Chinese companies are mimicking the Android ecosystem, pushing out high volumes in a range of designs.
—James Vincent, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
Alex Reisner, The Atlantic, 9 Jan. 2026
Rather than chasing trends or copying what already works elsewhere, Salomon is investing in research and testing to guide their development process.
—Cory Smith, Outside, 8 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
This has prompted researchers to develop more reliable methods for copying quantum data.
—Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 7 Jan. 2026
The owners of the original accuse the new restaurant of copying them.
—Charlie De Mar, CBS News, 6 Jan. 2026
This speaks to the tension with AI models right now and the fear from creatives about being edged out by AI models that are capable of copying the style of artists, designers, filmmakers, and more.
—Tom Warren, The Verge, 2 Jan. 2026
Opportunities are most visible in green technology, industrial automation, advanced manufacturing, and applied AI — sectors where China is pace setting and shaping standards rather than copying them.
—Dewardric L. McNeal, CNBC, 31 Dec. 2025
The American robotics firms are copying Apple’s playbook, focusing on designing a few high-quality products, but Chinese companies are mimicking the Android ecosystem, pushing out high volumes in a range of designs.
—James Vincent, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for copying
Verb
-
The result is a critique that cuts both ways, illuminating the problems of the Ozempic era while also reproducing some of its most damaging assumptions.—
Virgie Tovar,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Moraska Lafrancois says the park service has yet to confirm whether the mussels are reproducing, though.—
Caitlin Looby,
jsonline.com,
20 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Trump celebrates our nation’s founding while imitating tyrant King George III, argues columnist Jackie Calmes.—
James Rainey,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Jan. 2026
-
So art is indeed imitating art.—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
16 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
However, while trying to confront grief with a sense of mischief, the movie’s impish tonal approach takes the sting out of death a little too often, rendering its catharsis null.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Initially, Riot reported substantial financial enhancements in its core mining operations, rendering the company much more profitable compared to earlier mining downturns.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The move comes after the Legislature’s Elon Musk-emulating DOGE committee looked into the commission.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
22 Jan. 2026
-
Talarico represents the Democrats who believe that winning is possible by rejecting rather than emulating the president’s least flattering qualities.—
Colin Pascal,
Baltimore Sun,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
What is consistent is that teachers are creating tools adapted to their students, rather than replicating generic software produced in the larger world.—
Dan Fitzpatrick,
Forbes.com,
20 Jan. 2026
-
But while a four-string electric bass can descend to 41 Hz, chances are that most speakers are only bumping and rattling in an attempt to generate such low frequencies, much less accurately replicating the timbre and voice of the instrument itself.—
Robert Ross,
Robb Report,
18 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Do all your reps on this side before switching sides and repeating.—
Greg Presto,
Outside,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Spray affected areas thoroughly, and wipe the plant to remove webs, repeating the process every few days, says Peters.—
SJ McShane,
Martha Stewart,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
McGee offers the example of duplicating triangle points by adding a prep faucet near the refrigerator.—
Kristina McGuirk,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Bidirectional edges connected the robots to each other, because each robot had to know what other robots were doing at each time step to avoid collisions or duplicating tasks.—
Jacek Krywko,
ArsTechnica,
25 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Copying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/copying. Accessed 26 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
