copying

Definition of copyingnext
present participle of copy
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

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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

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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 Police say the thieves are tapping into technology — copying key fobs to steal cars. Ubah Ali, CBS News, 9 May 2026 Previous Buc-ee's lawsuits This is not the first time Buc-ee's has sued a company over allegedly copying its famous beaver mascot and overall branding. Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 6 May 2026 Critics say that Wu, a big Mamdani fan, is attempting to turn Boston into New York by copying New York City’s congestion pricing program. Peter Lucas, Boston Herald, 4 May 2026 This one turns off Gemini in addition to personalized Drive search, copying loyalty cards to Wallet and Calendar event extraction from Gmail. ArsTechnica, 30 Apr. 2026 In 2024, Yungblud appeared on an episode of The Osbournes podcast and Kelly Osbourne made a comment about MGK copying Yungblud's use of pink. Daniela Avila, PEOPLE, 23 Apr. 2026 Ding has become known for his understated reactions and his small wave during introductions, which fans have begun copying at home. Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 23 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 One of their tactics was to charge record requesters not just for copying costs but for the time workers spent assembling the records. U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for copying
Verb
  • Antibiotics are medications designed to kill bacteria or stop bacteria from reproducing, including both harmful and beneficial bacteria.
    Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 15 May 2026
  • Among other damage, the oil can essentially suffocate mangrove trees, interfere with hawksbill turtles’ and green sea turtles’ sense of smell that guides their navigation, and prevent fish from reproducing.
    Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 14 May 2026
Verb
  • Life is officially imitating art for Dani Rojas from Ted Lasso.
    Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 13 May 2026
  • The contest aims to challenge negative stereotypes of seagulls, which are often seen as a nuisance, by imitating them, per local network WTV.
    Adam England, PEOPLE, 29 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Later that evening, Lennon was assassinated outside of his apartment building, rendering the interview his final words spoken on the record.
    Vikram Murthi, IndieWire, 15 May 2026
  • The Polish writer-director has spent the last decade-plus rendering the period after WWII in severe black-and-white.
    Alison Willmore, Vulture, 15 May 2026
Verb
  • For today’s decision-makers, emulating his lens—a rare blend of childlike wonder and clear-eyed realism—is essential to any progress.
    Prince Harry, Time, 7 May 2026
  • The plot is little more than an excuse to string together a series of fight scenes, emulating the experience of playing the games.
    Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 7 May 2026
Verb
  • The company’s approach reflects a broader industry shift toward humanoid robotics, where replicating human hand dexterity is considered essential for practical deployment.
    Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 12 May 2026
  • Reaching that conclusion required somehow replicating the harsh realities of Venus right here on Earth.
    Emma Gometz, Scientific American, 10 May 2026
Verb
  • Regional seismometers registered localized repeating earthquakes beginning as early as August 5.
    Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 10 May 2026
  • The upper arches are smaller and arranged in groups of three, such that one small upper arch corresponds to a pier, followed by two arches corresponding to a large lower arch in a repeating pattern.
    Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 May 2026
Verb
  • The tense battle culminates in the Beliskner being destroyed, in turn killing all the Replicators, except for one, which is seen crawling out of the ocean, setting up future battles with this duplicating menace.
    Daryl Baxter, Space.com, 14 Apr. 2026
  • The findings, published in a new study in the journal Nature Communications, suggest there’s a hard limit to duplicating mammals.
    Frank Landymore, Futurism, 26 Mar. 2026

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“Copying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/copying. Accessed 18 May. 2026.

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