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
  • Their hair is the same color and the beat is identical, which is particularly impressive given that Jane had the oldest skin to work with.
    Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 21 Mar. 2026
  • Collaboration tools like Live Share allow developers to edit and debug code together in real time without needing identical local environments.
    StackCommerce Team, PC Magazine, 20 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Handout/Magen David Adom The MDA shared an image of first responders running to the scene of a fire in a residential area in Petah Tiqva, east of Tel Aviv, too.
    CBS News, CBS News, 21 Mar. 2026
  • Hyland’s images convey this sense of loneliness.
    Peter Hessler, New Yorker, 21 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Once viewed as a leader in transparency, the Sunshine State now charges exorbitant copy fees that discourage average people from requesting public records.
    David Cuillier, Sun Sentinel, 18 Mar. 2026
  • Although there was merch for sale, including T-shirts and vinyl copies of A Good Night in the Ghetto, the complimentary keepsake was just one example of the mutual adoration shared between the performer and her supporters.
    DeMicia Inman, VIBE.com, 18 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
  • There are about 12,000 signs, and most are replicated in the other two restaurants.
    SYDNEY PAGE THE WASHINGTON POST, Arkansas Online, 22 Mar. 2026
  • Muscle mimic motors Researchers at the University of Bristol have demonstrated that networks of simple mechanical motors can replicate the essential behavior of actomyosin, the molecular system responsible for muscle contraction.
    Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 22 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • While Knueppel’s former team played its 36th game of the season, the rookie has already nearly doubled that.
    Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 22 Mar. 2026
  • Michigan State doubled its 3-point output in the third quarter and both were important.
    CBS News, CBS News, 21 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Residents describe the smell as a harsh chemical paint smell, similar to the smell in a nail salon.
    Jessica Riley, CBS News, 20 Mar. 2026
  • The city checks for duplicate names, similar-sounding names, spelling conflicts, and anything that could slow down or confuse an emergency response.
    Dante Motley, Austin American Statesman, 20 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Besides using Cinecittà’s vast ancient Rome backlot set with a Roman Forum replica, the show will also shoot in Rome’s Lazio region and in Tuscany.
    Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 20 Mar. 2026
  • The Lover’s Knot tiara was originally commissioned from the House of Garrard in 1913 for Queen Mary, designed as a replica of her grandmother’s Cambridge Lover’s Knot Tiara.
    Anna Grace Lee, Vogue, 18 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Duplicate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/duplicate. Accessed 24 Mar. 2026.

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