duplicate 1 of 3

Definition of duplicatenext

duplicate

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noun

duplicate

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verb

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
This will prevent you from buying duplicate ingredients, which can save you money and cut down on food waste. Emily Williams, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Nov. 2025 The papers were studying strokes in animals, and researchers not only found duplicate images but also a lack of follow-up research, another red flag pointing to baseless findings. Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 7 Nov. 2025
Noun
Trump was accused of pocketing one of the championship medals meant for the winning club, Chelsea, and even keeping the real championship trophy and presenting a duplicate to the winners. Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 5 Dec. 2025 Always use the original key when making duplicates, since copies of copies may not work as well. Cody Godwin, USA Today, 16 Nov. 2025
Verb
That lack of clarity protects failure from exposure and inhibits successful programs from being duplicated. Dan Walters, Mercury News, 5 Dec. 2025 The original mill continues to supply Paige with the specialized fabric, though many have tried to duplicate it. Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 2 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for duplicate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for duplicate
Adjective
  • Michael Levin, a researcher at Tufts University, has blocked cell channels to manipulate the membrane potentials of developing worm embryos, causing genetically identical worms to develop different body plans.
    Elise Cutts, Quanta Magazine, 12 Jan. 2026
  • Then another in the same increment in October and a third one by an identical amount in December.
    Matt Richardson, CBS News, 12 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • The size can easily be adjusted by simply moving the projector closer to or farther away from the surface upon which the image is projected.
    Maggie Horton, PEOPLE, 14 Jan. 2026
  • This structure can diffract light and degrade image quality.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 14 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Follow Fran Drescher’s lead with her latest copy-worthy beauty look.
    Eva Thomas, InStyle, 14 Jan. 2026
  • Minimal in both its copy and marketing, OAMC and Salomon appear confident in letting the product do the heavy lifting for this collaboration.
    Riley Jones, Footwear News, 13 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Whitman traces how this legal foundation evolved into a broader moral menace that became a durable template in Western capitalism that was repeatedly reproduced.
    Valerie L. Myers, The Conversation, 8 Jan. 2026
  • Sadly for Jeep, its dealers couldn’t reproduce that magic in 2025 despite consolidating the two into a single model.
    Byron Hurd, The Drive, 8 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Mpro, an enzyme that allows SARS-CoV-2 to replicate in host cells, holds structural similarities.
    Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Jan. 2026
  • Such observations can be replicated in the lab.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 7 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Amazon has a wealth of winter wreaths available for less than $50, including this 22-inch option that doubles as both holiday and winter decor.
    Brittany VanDerBill, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Jan. 2026
  • Turkish cotton towels double as lightweight blankets, ideal for an extra layer on a chilly plane or to stay cozy in your hotel room.
    Carin Ryan, Travel + Leisure, 14 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • In response to Amber's heart-wrenching case, a Texas mom named Diana Simone had the idea to create an emergency system for abducted children, similar to a weather or civil defense alert.
    Emily Krauser, PEOPLE, 13 Jan. 2026
  • Yet many divorces follow a similar trajectory, and most of the feelings women experience during that process are universal.
    Oona Metz, Time, 13 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Ted Sarandos, the co-CEO of Netflix, keeps a replica of the Rosebud sled in his home.
    Reeves Wiedeman, Vulture, 12 Jan. 2026
  • But in 12 of the cases, the person targeted was not armed, including several people who were later found in possession of replica firearms.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Duplicate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/duplicate. Accessed 15 Jan. 2026.

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