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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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

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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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for copying
Verb
  • University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers have unlocked a potential new treatment to target an incurable form of childhood cancer with the help of a fast-reproducing pest known for swarming kitchen produce.
    Kelly Meyerhofer, jsonline.com, 7 Jan. 2026
  • The motif showcases the stories of the family that previously lived at the palace — often reproducing animals such as eagles, lions, dogs, peacocks and griffins.
    Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 10 Dec. 2025
Verb
  • Two hours later, the trainer — now in a foam Michelin-man neck-to-heel suit — crouches near the box, imitating a quiet intruder.
    Megan Sauer Tasia Jensen, CNBC, 14 Jan. 2026
  • Users appeared to be imitating and showing off to one another.
    Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 14 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • For the white men, the experience of prison was the veil that now concealed them, rendering them strangers and exiles from the world outside.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Jan. 2026
  • The committee approved the report in under a minute, without discussion, rubber-stamping false compliance and rendering our transparency laws meaningless.
    Bobby Block, Sun Sentinel, 13 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Modern examples, however, have come a long way in emulating the look.
    Shagun Khare, Martha Stewart, 10 Jan. 2026
  • The team behind the new study believes that emulating this approach can be beneficial across various fields today.
    Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 5 Dec. 2025
Verb
  • China, by contrast, has spent decades replicating the Cold War strategies of American soft power and turning them against the United States.
    Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 14 Jan. 2026
  • Robert Sanchez is in strong form and is no stranger to being asked to play out from the back, but replicating what Rosenior has had Penders do at Strasbourg would be taking it to a new level.
    Cerys Jones, New York Times, 9 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

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“Copying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/copying. Accessed 16 Jan. 2026.

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