Definition of duplicatenext
1
as in to copy
to make an exact likeness of art students trying to duplicate paintings in the museum's collection as part of their training

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in to replicate
to make or do again we were unable to duplicate the experiment in our own lab, so we're suspicious

Synonyms & Similar Words

3
as in to double
to make twice as great or as many the recipe can be easily duplicated in order to feed a large family

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun duplicate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of duplicate are copy, facsimile, replica, and reproduction. While all these words mean "a thing made to closely resemble another," duplicate implies a double or counterpart exactly corresponding to another thing.

a duplicate of a house key

When is it sensible to use copy instead of duplicate?

The meanings of copy and duplicate largely overlap; however, copy applies especially to one of a number of things reproduced mechanically.

printed 1000 copies of the lithograph

When can facsimile be used instead of duplicate?

Although the words facsimile and duplicate have much in common, facsimile suggests a close reproduction often of graphic matter that may differ in scale.

a facsimile of a rare book

Where would replica be a reasonable alternative to duplicate?

While the synonyms replica and duplicate are close in meaning, replica implies the exact reproduction of a particular item in all details, but not always in the same scale.

a replica of the Mayflower
miniature replicas of classic cars

When might reproduction be a better fit than duplicate?

While in some cases nearly identical to duplicate, reproduction implies an exact or close imitation of an existing thing.

reproductions from the museum's furniture collection

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 duplicate
Adjective
Equifax has identified approximately 37,651 individuals who had duplicate items on their reports. Brian Sloan, CNBC, 11 Aug. 2026 If a community wants to rely on separate taxing districts instead of a consolidated municipal government for schools, parks, libraries and other purpose, the burden falls on its residents to bear any duplicate costs of administration. Chicago Tribune, 6 Aug. 2026
Noun
The 56 designated as Tough Ones are all duplicates from one of the other two types. Neil J. Rubenking, PC Magazine, 10 Aug. 2026 Some sets come with additional lids, which may be duplicates or something unique, such as specially sized lids for soda bottles. Bestreviews, Mercury News, 5 Aug. 2026
Verb
Take JPMorgan Chase, which built its LLM Suite platform in-house and connected it to the firm’s own data and systems, creating a unified and unique AI resource that others can’t easily duplicate. Gina Mastantuono, Fortune, 14 Aug. 2026 The two studio lots also boast dozens of soundstages; century-old fortresses that would not be easily duplicated. Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 12 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for duplicate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for duplicate
Adjective
  • If only Elanga had managed to finish off an almost identical chance at Villa Park on his Newcastle debut a year ago, then the winger’s first season on Tyneside may have taken on a very different complexion.
    Chris Waugh, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026
  • To be sure, today's bond market isn't identical to that of 1987, and several of the underlying conditions that led to Black Monday are not currently at play.
    Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 21 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Before that, the monarchy had promoted a more secular and westernized image of women.
    Tim Lister, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026
  • The images conveyed gravity, purpose and leadership in a time of existential crisis.
    Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Somehow this abstract understanding exists alongside, or by means of, the objects in the waiting room—a paper cup from the water cooler, or a copy of People magazine.
    Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The album went on to sell more than two million copies and remains beloved by fans today.
    Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 21 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • What survived was not the work that could be reproduced by a machine.
    David Woodard, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Shopping with friends, asking an employee for guidance, or seeing how others interact with a product can influence a decision in ways that are difficult to reproduce on a screen.
    Connie Etemadi, Freep.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Arkansas is among many Southern states that hope to replicate the success of Mississippi in pulling up reading scores.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Remark’s goal is to replicate the intuition and memory of a human advisor, creating a cohesive experience where the digital rack is always being assembled for the shopper.
    Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 19 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Teoscar Hernandez had a triple and double, and Tommy Edman doubled twice as the Dodgers broke out of an offensive slump in Denver.
    CBS News, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
  • The Williams sisters, who together have won 14 Grand Slam doubles titles, were supposed to team up for doubles at Wimbledon but had to withdraw before their first match because of a knee injury that Serena, 44, picked up playing Joint.
    Ava Wallace, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Side effects were similar to other vaccines that people typically get for other diseases, Healy noted.
    Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Both would likely keep Ukraine moving in a similar direction.
    Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • If cave paintings tell the stories of the earliest human life, factices — the once-ubiquitous oversized perfume bottle replicas — play a similar role in revealing the histories of fragrance.
    Noor Lobad, Footwear News, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Now, the moviegoing public can stumble on perfect replicas of theatrical blockbusters on numerous social apps and screen them in full before copyright teams can hit the panic button.
    Gene Maddaus, Variety, 21 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Duplicate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/duplicate. Accessed 26 Aug. 2026.

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