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
Review the Supplement Facts panel carefully to identify duplicate ingredients. — Christopher Bergland, Verywell Health, 27 Aug. 2026 The account connection helps verify that votes are coming from individual supporters and reduces the use of fake or duplicate accounts. — Ethan M. Stone, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026
Noun
While the original 29 code talkers who created the unbreakable code received Congressional Gold Medals, subsequent Code Talker graduates received the silver duplicate. — Debra Utacia Krol, AZCentral.com, 14 Aug. 2026 But, in the event of a glitch, transporter rooms effectively become highly sophisticated 3D printers, creating duplicates indistinguishable from the original beamee. — Richard Edwards, Space.com, 13 Aug. 2026
Verb
Granite paint kits come with multiple colors of paint to duplicate the mottled look of stone, as well as a clear sealer to protect the finish. — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 8 Sep. 2026 The Bears will attempt to duplicate the defensive production that thrived on takeaways. — Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for duplicate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for duplicate
Adjective
  • The key test was performed independently on two nominally identical devices, one at EPFL and one at the Weizmann Institute, using separate experimental setups.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 27 Sep. 2026
  • The week the flight ends is the worst possible time to judge it, because that’s the one point where a spike and a durable signal look identical.
    — Tony Gonzalez, Forbes.com, 25 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • The Senate passed a bill Monday night that aims to regulate college sports after several court cases in recent years dramatically overhauled NCAA rules and allowed student-athletes to earn money from their name, image, and likeness, known as NIL.
    — Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 29 Sep. 2026
  • View gallery - 11 images Ahead of the upcoming fall sales season, smart home robotics brand Narwal has announced an exclusive early access promotion on its flagship robot vacuum and mop system, the Narwal Flow 2.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 29 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • And virtual copies of the castle's Georgian dining-room furniture are readily available at America's home furnisher.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Then mail that form, as well as a copy of a valid photo ID or a government document that shows your name and address, such as a utility bill or bank statement, to your local election authority.
    — Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 24 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Actual spaceflight also exposes cells to radiation and other conditions the experiment did not reproduce.
    — Stefanie Waldek, Space.com, 29 Sep. 2026
  • That approach indicates that Cardsmiths isn’t exclusively reproducing the card but offering its own take.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 29 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Our wine ages for a full year in French oak, where the wood’s precise porosity allows just the right exchange with oxygen — softening the wine, concentrating its aromas and flavours, building complexity no machine can replicate.
    — Peter Hahn, Fortune, 29 Sep. 2026
  • This color choice was then replicated again for the shoe’s retro release in 2009.
    — Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 28 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • When unfolded, the chassis doubles as an adjustable stand that supports front, rear, ceiling, and portrait projection modes.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 24 Sep. 2026
  • European diesel futures recently touched historic highs, more than doubling from levels seen at the start of the year.
    — , CNBC, 24 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Researchers have documented similar benefits around the globe.
    — Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Airlines, including Southwest Airlines and United Airlines, have started offering similar rewards cards through their partner, JPMorgan Chase.
    — Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 29 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • At the heart of the property sits Ruinas del Mar, a seafood restaurant designed to look like a replica of Aruba's Bushiribana gold mine ruins.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Sep. 2026
  • The South Side team even had a theme night in August dedicated to the Pope, where fans at Rate Field were given replica papal-style hats featuring the Sox logo in a game against the Cincinnati Reds.
    — Allison Kiehl, Chicago Tribune, 25 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Duplicate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/duplicate. Accessed 30 Sep. 2026.

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