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
Contacts Cleaner finds duplicate and incomplete entries in your contacts list. Neil J. Rubenking, PC Magazine, 24 June 2026 Just One is a cooperative word game where duplicate hints get eliminated. Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 23 June 2026
Noun
Damaged, worn-out, or expired things get thrown away, items in good condition that thrift stores are looking for can be donated, and holiday items, decor, heirlooms, and duplicates can go into storage. Nishaa Sharma, The Spruce, 29 June 2026 Those figures likely included people who have been incommunicado due to the lack of cellphone signals, and some reports may be duplicates. ABC News, 27 June 2026
Verb
The software uses an advanced scanning algorithm to compare both file names and contents, helping identify duplicate files with high accuracy. Stackcommerce Team, PC Magazine, 1 July 2026 Fiber-optic, first-person view (FPV) drones have become a key weapon in the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah’s war against Israel in recent months – bypassing Israel’s sophisticated defense systems by duplicating an asymmetric warfare tactic that first emerged in the Russia-Ukraine war. Jeremy Diamond, CNN Money, 28 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for duplicate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for duplicate
Adjective
  • Their hairdos are almost identical as well, even if Dany’s is more elaborate.
    Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 6 July 2026
  • But on Wednesday, the day after Mexico beat Ecuador 2-0 to secure its fourth consecutive World Cup victory, the fan and his wife, Angélica Arias, walked to the plaza wearing two identical caps.
    Eduard Cauich, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2026
Noun
  • The flag was also draped over Khamenei’s casket in images published last week by his official X account.
    Xiaoqian Lin, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
  • Rodríguez Castro, the person said, projects a similar tough-guy image.
    Romina Ruiz-Goiriena, USA Today, 6 July 2026
Noun
  • Across villages in Punjab, Sikh organizations, local activists and residents have begun organizing community screenings using copies that have circulated online.
    ABC News, ABC News, 10 July 2026
  • Advocates for Immigrant Rights and Reconciliation, a local nonprofit supporting immigrants in Kansas City, said Thursday that a manager at La Fontanella was told that agents brought a search warrant but that no witnesses or employees saw a copy.
    Ilana Arougheti July 10, Kansas City Star, 10 July 2026
Verb
  • There was a recent study that estimated a machine now could reproduce 70% of its mass.
    Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 9 July 2026
  • The pond is overstocked as a result of the fish naturally reproducing, Zibert said.
    Zuri Primos July 8, Kansas City Star, 8 July 2026
Verb
  • Infrastructure In infrastructure, the analysts said investors should look at companies that own critical networks such as grids, pipelines, fiber networks and transport assets that are difficult to replicate.
    Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 8 July 2026
  • This chamber replicates a laboratory setting, showcasing special effects prosthetics, creature designs, makeup concept artwork, and artifacts from historical to contemporary science horror films.
    Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 8 July 2026
Verb
  • Especially in small bathrooms with limited wall space, towels can double as decor.
    Marisa Suzanne Martin, The Spruce, 8 July 2026
  • Reddick loads her genre-blurring tale with outlandish intrigue involving Soviet spies, a capitalist cult and a roving choir that doubles as a Greek chorus.
    Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
Adjective
  • Ganfield said there was a flash, similar to when a grenade goes off in a film.
    Jazmin Alvarado, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
  • Space has spent decades in a similar space, as a technology that is impressive but not yet ordinary, but that may finally be changing.
    Charlotte Kiang, Forbes.com, 9 July 2026
Noun
  • Not far away lay a replica Viking longship, a smaller version of the vessel used by their spiritual and ancestral kin to explore and raid from North America to North Africa a millennium earlier.
    Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 12 July 2026
  • He was later fished out — and a replica was installed on White House grounds.
    Tara Sonenshine, Baltimore Sun, 11 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

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

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