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
Connecting outside tools can reduce duplicate data entry and help keep your books current. — Carson Brunson, CNBC, 7 Oct. 2026 The commission says the revision is aimed to remove duplicate and ineligible entries while ensuring eligible voters remain registered. — ABC News, 6 Oct. 2026
Noun
The opposition says eligible voters were disenfranchised, while election officials say the purge removed duplicate and ineligible entries. — Sheikh Saaliq, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2026 Modi's party and the Election Commission say the revision is aimed at removing duplicate and ineligible entries while ensuring eligible voters remain registered. — Arkansas Online, 8 Oct. 2026
Verb
The company started scanning repositories for credentials, began alerting users that their credentials were exposed, and even set up default push protections to prevent affected repositories from being duplicated. — Alex Colon, PC Magazine, 9 Oct. 2026 This split would duplicate work, stifle innovation and amplify geopolitical tensions. — Kevin Korte, Forbes.com, 6 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for duplicate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for duplicate
Adjective
  • This creates familiarity without making every asset look identical, while giving AI a clear role as an execution tool.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Prosecutors said the business submitted applications containing nearly identical boilerplate language.
    — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 30 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Unlike conventional sonar approaches that rely on lower-resolution acoustic images, synthetic aperture sonar combines multiple acoustic measurements collected as the sensor moves through the water.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 2 Nov. 2026
  • The image was manipulated by artificial intelligence and posted by a Colombian artist, according to Brazilian fact-checking outlet Agência Lupa.
    — Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 2 Nov. 2026
Noun
  • His breakout comedic dark fantasy comic series Barbaric has sold more than one million copies and is currently in development as a series at Netflix.
    — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 29 Oct. 2026
  • When a server migration wipes out Sally’s treasured videos of him — and her phone containing backup copies accidentally shatters — the only hope is finding the original tapes.
    — Rachel LaBonte, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • An elusive recipe In 2020, Dutch researchers reproduced the green/red dichroic effect of the Lycurgus Cup in a 3D printable nanocomposite material by embedding small amounts of silver and gold nanoparticles, of the proper size and shapes.
    — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 27 Oct. 2026
  • The device reproduced the fingerprint's tiny ridges and valleys, demonstrating an impressive spatial resolution of 30 micrometers (847 dpi).
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 27 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • But then labs across the globe tried to replicate the experiment and couldn’t, and an almighty takedown ensued.
    — George Musser, Quanta Magazine, 2 Nov. 2026
  • The Ipsos survey and several other polls — if replicated on voting day — indicate that most metropolitan municipalities would require coalition governments after the local elections.
    — Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 2 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • The pattern repeats in healthcare, parks and botanical collections, where sensory planting doubles as therapy and education.
    — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Charlotte Observer, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Gustafson highlighted September reporting by ProPublica that found deaths from ectopic pregnancies had nearly doubled nationwide between 2020 and 2025, compared with the previous six years.
    — Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 29 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • American officials told the Wall Street Journal that Washington had conducted similar attacks secretly in recent weeks.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Similarly, high-risk activities like mountain climbing, skydiving or something similar won't typically be covered (unless specific add-on coverage is included and paid for before traveling).
    — Matt Richardson, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026
Noun
  • Later, however, a faithful replica, also called the Atlantic, was built.
    — The Week UK, TheWeek, 25 Oct. 2026
  • That team, fittingly enough, will be honored during the Hurricanes’ game on Saturday against Pittsburgh, with the current team wearing replica jerseys to recognize the group.
    — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Duplicate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/duplicate. Accessed 4 Nov. 2026.

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