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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Recent Examples of copying
Determined to be seen as extraordinary, Elizabeth begins copying, stalking and impersonating Laura to try and win a Harvard spot for herself.
—
Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 20 June 2026
Across two experiments, participants completed deliberately monotonous tasks, including copying or reading telephone numbers, before taking a creative uses test.
—Cheryl Robinson, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026
Your boss may just end up copying your work outfit.
—Kelsey Stewart, Glamour, 17 June 2026
Until now, the law has been clear that agencies may generally only charge for copying costs (something that’s essentially unnecessary in this day of digital records).
—Daniel Borenstein, Mercury News, 16 June 2026
Alejo switches back to speakerphone and stays silent, copying the numbers Elizabeth is asking for from Flores’ enrollment paperwork in big block letters so Flores can read them aloud.
—Megan Greenwell, Bloomberg, 9 June 2026
Start copying Lopez below for as little as $20.
—Izzy Baskette, PEOPLE, 4 June 2026
Modeling Active Acts of Kindness for Young Children For better or worse, preschoolers learn primarily by watching and copying everything their caregivers do.
—Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Parents, 3 June 2026
Now, the Chicago White Sox are copying the idea.
—Jon Greenberg, New York Times, 1 June 2026
Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 20 June 2026
Across two experiments, participants completed deliberately monotonous tasks, including copying or reading telephone numbers, before taking a creative uses test.
—Cheryl Robinson, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026
Your boss may just end up copying your work outfit.
—Kelsey Stewart, Glamour, 17 June 2026
Until now, the law has been clear that agencies may generally only charge for copying costs (something that’s essentially unnecessary in this day of digital records).
—Daniel Borenstein, Mercury News, 16 June 2026
Alejo switches back to speakerphone and stays silent, copying the numbers Elizabeth is asking for from Flores’ enrollment paperwork in big block letters so Flores can read them aloud.
—Megan Greenwell, Bloomberg, 9 June 2026
Start copying Lopez below for as little as $20.
—Izzy Baskette, PEOPLE, 4 June 2026
Modeling Active Acts of Kindness for Young Children For better or worse, preschoolers learn primarily by watching and copying everything their caregivers do.
—Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Parents, 3 June 2026
Now, the Chicago White Sox are copying the idea.
—Jon Greenberg, New York Times, 1 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for copying
Verb
-
Rather than reproducing the past, the Recreated Classics programme explores why certain designs continue to resonate across generations.—
Mark Sparrow,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
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What online scammers are looking to steal The FBI issued a warning last month that cybercriminals are manipulating or reproducing the official FIFA World Cup website to scam fans who are looking for tickets, hospitality packages, merchandise, streaming access and betting opportunities.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
11 June 2026
Verb
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As a 7-year-old, I’d entertain my father’s friends, at their weekly pickup game at a Bronx barn-house gymnasium, by imitating his game face—bottom lip jutting, eyes scowling.—
Sean Gregory,
Time,
14 June 2026
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Carol Channing reduced Shalit to tears of laughter with her tale of a London dinner party with Lady Astor and Sir Benjamin Harrison by imitating the latter.—
Chris Koseluk,
HollywoodReporter,
12 June 2026
Verb
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Pentagon officials, military contractors and lawmakers often claim that the weapons acquisition process is overregulated, rendering it too rigid and slow to keep pace with technological innovation and pacing threats.—
Julia Gledhill,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2026
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The California Highway Patrol officer radioed for assistance while rendering medical aid to the couple.—
Noe Padilla,
USA Today,
19 June 2026
Verb
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In that sense, Hollywood isn’t becoming Detroit so much as emulating it.—
Gene Maddaus,
Variety,
16 June 2026
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That’s not a year fans should want any part of emulating.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
31 May 2026
Verb
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On Monday, 60 Tao people from Taiwan’s Orchid Island set off on a 111-mile voyage, taking turns to paddle against strong currents to reach the Ivatan people on Batan Island, located in the far north of the Philippines, replicating a journey first thought to have been made more than 4,000 years ago.—
Wayne Chang,
CNN Money,
17 June 2026
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Saudi Arabia caused one of the great World Cup upsets in Qatar by beating Argentina, so their capacity for disruption exists, though replicating that against a Spain side of this caliber would be something different entirely.—
Sam Leveridge,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2026
Verb
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Already on Friday, some Labour MPs were repeating their calls for Starmer to step down even though Burnham himself shied away from explicitly referencing his leadership ambitions.—
Issy Ronald,
CNN Money,
20 June 2026
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We’re obsessed with the Good American Fourth of July edit and Free People’s spin on soccer jerseys (catch is outfit repeating in this Match Day USA Jersey all summer long).—
Jessie Quinn,
StyleCaster,
19 June 2026
Verb
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Creating parallel capabilities overseas risks duplicating existing infrastructure while diverting attention and resources from the interventions most likely to bring the outbreak under control.—
Krutika Kuppalli,
STAT,
5 June 2026
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But Elliott’s openness to the idea of duplicating a move his father made 25 years ago was greeted with near-unanimous approval online.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
24 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Copying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/copying. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
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