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 drug companies alleged that using contract pharmacies led to abuses, such as duplicate billings, product diversions, and ineligible rebates. Ed Silverman, STAT, 26 Feb. 2026 No two seasons are ever duplicate copies of one another. Frank Rajkowski, Twin Cities, 22 Feb. 2026
Noun
That distinction — Belle as her own cat, not a duplicate — runs through everything Anderson has shared about this experience. Ryan Brennan march 4, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2026 Many files appear to be duplicates, however. Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 20 Feb. 2026
Verb
From there, a user named Vega turned it into a TikTok dance video that exploded — people duplicating themselves on screen, one version performing, the other dancing behind them. Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 26 Mar. 2026 Meanwhile, artificial intelligence companies are threatening to take their most advanced data centers elsewhere if the state doesn’t weaken certain privacy laws that Aurora has now duplicated through its new regulations. R. Christian Smith, Chicago Tribune, 25 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for duplicate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for duplicate
Adjective
  • Each suite, which is nearly identical in size to those in the Stueckle Sky Center, has large sliding doors leading out to the field, as well as windows that look back into the lounge.
    Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 28 Mar. 2026
  • One resistance gene was 100% identical, suggesting a relatively recent swap.
    Jonathan Lambert, NPR, 27 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Fatalities data, the group says, is based on a range of sources, including sources among medical workers, publicly available images and official statements.
    Bart Jansen, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2026
  • Whereas the intimate, snapshot-style images call us to bask in the anachronistic warmth of the analog, the profane photographs beckon toward the messy pleasures of the body.
    Chris Wiley, New Yorker, 28 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Then, carbon-copy goals from Brittany Ratcliffe and Madison Mercado — who got on the end of crosses whipped in by Sofia Huerta in the 26th and 33rd minutes — saw the Current shell-shocked down 3-0 in the 33rd minute.
    Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 26 Mar. 2026
  • Keep copies of your passport and use a money belt in crowded areas.
    Lauren Schuster, Charlotte Observer, 25 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 30 Mar. 2026
  • Engineers are using their knowledge of fluid mechanics and materials science to reproduce the unique environment of the womb.
    Srishti Gupta, Interesting Engineering, 28 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Vidovic noted the RedHawks are not trying to replicate the 2025 season because few teams could do that.
    Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 30 Mar. 2026
  • Given the large number of draft-eligible people, which should include women, there would be necessary and inevitable deferments, exemptions and other mechanisms that would essentially replicate the situation of previous drafts.
    Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 29 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Garcia doubled to score Bohm, then left fielder Brandon Marsh hit a two-run single to tie the game at 3.
    Jim Barnes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Mar. 2026
  • With the Baby Boom cohort now ranging from 62 to 80 years old, the share of Americans aged 65 or older has nearly doubled from 10% to 18%, the center said.
    Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • The situation mirrors a recent case in Sweetwater, where hundreds of families were also displaced under similar terms, with financial incentives decreasing the longer residents wait to leave.
    Ivan Taylor, CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026
  • Linebacker Kaleb Elarms-Orr Elarms-Orr is in a similar position as Obiazor.
    Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • New selfie spots The Centerfield Plaza will be home to an oversized 2025 World Series replica trophy, alongside the 2024 trophy where fans can take pictures.
    Richard Guzman, Daily News, 27 Mar. 2026
  • Faux-chrome hubcaps and brick outlines resembling fenders decorate the building’s skin; those giant gargoyles on the corners are overscale replicas of radiator-cap hood ornaments.
    Christopher Bonanos, Curbed, 27 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Duplicate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/duplicate. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.

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