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
No two seasons are ever duplicate copies of one another. Frank Rajkowski, Twin Cities, 22 Feb. 2026 The data contained some discrepancies and duplicate entries. Aileen Clarke, Austin American Statesman, 19 Feb. 2026
Noun
Many files appear to be duplicates, however. Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 20 Feb. 2026 Our 23 chromosomes come in pairs that are essentially near duplicates of each other (with the exception of XY pairs). Roxanne Khamsi, The Atlantic, 15 Feb. 2026
Verb
Because the release includes a huge archive of Epstein’s emails, many pages are not informative and several are duplicated. Elliott Ramos, CBS News, 3 Mar. 2026 There are some costs that will be duplicated … but that money will be used to invest. Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 3 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for duplicate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for duplicate
Adjective
  • Recently, the Pet Poison Helpline identified an identical illness in dogs that ingested large amounts of cream of tartar (one dog ate homemade Play-Dough), or tamarind pods or paste (used in Southeast Asian dishes).
    The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Mar. 2026
  • Senate Republicans have found themselves in a spot nearly identical to the one Democrats were in four years ago.
    Paul Kane, Washington Post, 14 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, as well the Tripoli and other amphibious assault ships carrying the Marines, are based in Japan and have been in the Pacific Ocean for several days, according to images released by the military.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 14 Mar. 2026
  • Much like the movie itself, the images captured by Jima on set are spare and enigmatic.
    Naomi Fry, New Yorker, 14 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Bring your physical passport while shopping (not all retailers accept a copy or photo) and always ask for a VAT refund form—and make sure it’s stamped or signed.
    Lane Nieset, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Mar. 2026
  • All of the legislature’s 66 Democratic lawmakers, including the leadership of both the House and Senate, signed the letter, according to a copy obtained by The Post.
    Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 11 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Because birds reproduce through eggs rather than live birth, the dodo and moa projects involve a different set of biological challenges than the dire wolf work.
    Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 16 Mar. 2026
  • From that test case, the researchers found the abalone had to be at least six feet in distance to reproduce, preferably in groups of at least six for a greater chance of a male and female within the group.
    Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 14 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The demonstration was conducted using a hardware-in-the-loop simulation environment designed to replicate real operational conditions.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 16 Mar. 2026
  • His young nephew provided the entertainment, whacking a plastic ball around with a toy club on the lawn, replicating pro golf mannerisms a little too closely.
    Gabby Herzig, New York Times, 15 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Atlanta doubled their runs total before Uberstine’s 2 ⅓ innings (4 H, 4 ER, 2 BB, 4 K) were over, then exploded in the eighth.
    Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 15 Mar. 2026
  • In the men’s doubles final, Guido Andreozzi and Manuel Guinard topped Arthur Rinderknech and Valentin Vacherot 7-6 (3), 6-3.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Controlling Iran’s oil in any similar fashion has not been a main topic of conversation inside the administration, people familiar with the situation told Semafor.
    Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 13 Mar. 2026
  • The team found a major levoglucosan peak centered around 1128 CE, coinciding with a similar peak recorded from the Schwarzboden mire peat core, another important reservoir of atmospheric history sampled about 12 miles southeast of Weißseespitze.
    Nidhi Sharma, Popular Science, 13 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The permanent exhibit includes a full-scale replica of the Nihonbashi Bridge, an arching wooden structure that once joined the five roads to Edo at the gate to the capital.
    Jessica Kozuka, Travel + Leisure, 13 Mar. 2026
  • The replica sweaters sold out quickly following the tournament because Nike, which handles the manufacturing of hockey merchandise for Team USA, apparently underestimated the demand that would be fueled by the Americans’ upset of Canada in the gold medal game.
    Jesse Granger, New York Times, 12 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Duplicate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/duplicate. Accessed 17 Mar. 2026.

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