duplicate 1 of 3

duplicate

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noun

duplicate

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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

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
These are uncategorized and have included duplicate emails. Matthew J. Friedman, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2025 HIEs reduce unnecessary duplicate tests and protect against drug interactions or other dangers that can be avoided. Brian Bell, Hartford Courant, 19 Aug. 2025
Noun
Some of the products Lululemon says Costco is making duplicates of include its popular Scuba hoodies, Define jackets, and ABC pants. Jim Edwards, Fortune, 1 July 2025 While the lists of logins are likely to contain many duplicates as well as outdated and incorrect information, the overwhelming volume of findings puts into perspective how much sensitive data is circulating on the web. Dylan Butts, CNBC, 26 June 2025
Verb
State officials said the delay resulted in having to duplicate some spending, including IT system changes, staff training and other implementation costs, the report said. Margaret Coker, ProPublica, 24 Sep. 2025 Transparency rises, and duplicate work drops. Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for duplicate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for duplicate
Adjective
  • Cameron added that claims of political targeting overlook a basic point, which is that James’s own office has prosecuted nearly identical cases.
    Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 13 Oct. 2025
  • In an almost identical look, Tessa Thompson’s London Film Festival look was all about dark polish, black, smudged eye-corners and peach lips.
    Essence, Essence, 13 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Malinche’s negative image was solidified by Nobel Prize in Literature winner Octavio Paz.
    Jason Ma, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2025
  • Another kibbutz member approached a local TV correspondent, urging their channel not to stop airing the images of the returning hostages even as the high-level speeches at the Knesset began.
    Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Swift had some help in the sales department from many of her fans buying multiple copies of the album.
    Chris Willman, Variety, 13 Oct. 2025
  • However, a copy was not made public.
    Darlene Superville, Twin Cities, 13 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Available in 9-karat and 18-karat yellow and white gold, the pendant and chevalier ring come with a cast kit to take the pet’s nose print, which is then reproduced on the jewels by the brand’s goldsmiths.
    Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2025
  • For example, being able to reproduce data and always staying open to new interpretations.
    Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 14 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The team used human stem cells to create three-dimensional, embryo-like structures that replicate early human development, including the formation of blood stem cells.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 14 Oct. 2025
  • Reports of individual genes that were purported to cause IQ differences (or personality traits or mental illness) failed to replicate over and over again.
    Eric Turkheimer, The Atlantic, 13 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • After a study also showed that gas bills could double over the next 15 years, state regulators reined in the program and ordered the utility to focus on the pipelines at most risk of leaking.
    NPR, NPR, 13 Oct. 2025
  • Try a present that doubles as a date night, like an espresso martini kit or cheeky card game.
    Christa Joanna Lee, Glamour, 13 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Such a maneuver would mirror similar moves across the industry.
    Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2025
  • Once Simmons was drafted, Moore knew his role would shift from potential starter to a swing tackle, similar to his job back in San Francisco.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 13 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • In response to a Star inquiry, the State Department confirmed Arrington’s role in obtaining the replica and described the former director as helpful and knowledgeable.
    Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 13 Oct. 2025
  • Their 306,000-gallon ocean habitat is complete with a replica shipwreck that houses sharks, tarpon, and several other fish species.
    Jennifer Prince, Southern Living, 12 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Duplicate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/duplicate. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.

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