duplicate 1 of 3

Definition of duplicatenext

duplicate

2 of 3

noun

duplicate

3 of 3

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

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

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
The data contained some discrepancies and duplicate entries. Aileen Clarke, Austin American Statesman, 19 Feb. 2026 The review shows Black’s name appeared 8,200 times, though that figure likely includes some duplicate records. Dallas Morning News, 14 Feb. 2026
Noun
The number of documents subject to review ballooned to roughly 6 million, including duplicates. Eric Tucker, Fortune, 31 Jan. 2026 Even having a duplicate of a passport can be helpful if your primary passport is damaged, lost, or stolen. Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 31 Jan. 2026
Verb
Many documents are duplicated for no apparent reason. Noelle Phillips, Denver Post, 8 Feb. 2026 Often imitated, never duplicated. Sean Gentille, New York Times, 31 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for duplicate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for duplicate
Adjective
  • In the petition for Rother’s second motion to dismiss of the day — Kirkland and all of the attorneys present agreed that the two cases were virtually identical — Rother argued that the case against the agent should be dismissed even if the alleged scheme were true.
    J.C. Hallman, Oklahoman, 27 Feb. 2026
  • These observations are not contradictory but likely don’t represent quite identical phenomena.
    Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 27 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • The plane, belonging to the Bolivian air force, was transporting money to La Paz, and images on social media showed people rushing to collect the bills scattered at the crash site, while police in riot gear tried to disperse the crowd.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 28 Feb. 2026
  • North Korea on Saturday released pictures showing leader Kim Jong Un and his teenage daughter at a rifle range, the latest propaganda images to promote the child touted as a potential successor.
    Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 28 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • As a solo artist, her debut album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill was a record-breaker that sold 20 million copies worldwide and earned the Grammy Award for Album of the Year in 1999.
    Kathleen Perricone, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Mar. 2026
  • Several media outlets, including The Associated Press, obtained copies of the letter, which was dated Monday.
    Tim Reynolds, Chicago Tribune, 4 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Mar. 2026
  • Post-Soviet, Anthropocene, and post-independence frameworks can be overdetermined by these same spatial and political logics, translating them into periodizations that claim to mark historical breaks while reproducing their underlying assumptions.
    Anel Rakhimzhanova, Artforum, 1 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The terrifying demonstration of their violence was replicated throughout Mexico.
    Diana García, AZCentral.com, 1 Mar. 2026
  • After leading the Kings to a franchise-best 48 wins and 105 points in his first full season as coach, Hiller failed to replicate that success with a team that has appeared unorganized and undisciplined for much of the season.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Just over a minute later, Steven Stamkos doubled the Predators’ lead when a Stars turnover in the neutral zone came back the other way.
    Lia Assimakopoulos, Dallas Morning News, 1 Mar. 2026
  • Although the company’s profit nearly doubled in the fourth quarter and sales reached an all-time high, Wall Street seemed disappointed by its somewhat lackluster outlook.
    Auzinea Bacon, CNN Money, 28 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • The single unit power, energy storage capacity and conversion efficiency of this project rank first globally among similar salt cavern CAES power plants, according to the company.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 6 Mar. 2026
  • The international tournament returns Wednesday, with 20 teams competing in a format similar to the FIFA World Cup, with a group stage starting in Asia, followed by knockout rounds and the championship game at LoanDepot Park in Miami.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Lego Icons Project Hail Mary Spacecraft Project Hail Mary blasts into theaters March 20, but fans can start the adventure early by building a microscale replica of the spacecraft ahead of the film’s release.
    Brittany Anas, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Feb. 2026
  • That update of the designer’s own codes was beamed into Palazzo Delle Scintille today, within which a set had been built specifically for the occasion to resemble a museum, complete with replicas of Roman sculptures currently in the Uffizi Galleries.
    Elektra Kotsoni, Vogue, 27 Feb. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Duplicate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/duplicate. Accessed 7 Mar. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on duplicate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster