duplicate 1 of 3

Definition of duplicatenext

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
Checking your home inventory first also helps prevent duplicate purchases and cuts down on food waste, which is one of the biggest hidden costs of grocery shopping. Daryl Austin, USA Today, 31 Jan. 2026 In August 2024, federal prosecutors accused JMG Investments and Schwartz of improperly receiving two PPP loans in December 2020 and not repaying the duplicate loan as required, according to the DOJ. Andrea Klick, Daily News, 27 Jan. 2026
Noun
The number of documents subject to review has ballooned to roughly six million, including duplicates, the department said. Alanna Durkin Richer, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2026 The number of documents subject to review has ballooned to roughly 6 million, including duplicates, the department said. Eric Tucker, Los Angeles Times, 30 Jan. 2026
Verb
But anyone’s likeness can be duplicated by AI and you can be made to be doing pretty much anything. Inga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026 With payments of settlements and legal fees, except in clear physical injury cases, most defendants do duplicate reporting, so that a check payable jointly to plaintiff and lawyer will be 100% reported to the plaintiff, and 100% reported to the lawyer. Robert W. Wood, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for duplicate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for duplicate
Adjective
  • The charred layer at the surface is identical to the black leftover log from a campfire.
    Tim Carter, Hartford Courant, 7 Feb. 2026
  • Its 127-year lineage was verified by the pristine ‘1899’ cork marking, incredibly still visible through the glass — bearing the identical, historical font of the Domaine itself.
    Pin Yen Tan 9 min ago, CNN Money, 6 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • That hole eventually became the defining image of Hanceville’s decline.
    Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 7 Feb. 2026
  • Television footage and social media images showed police and residents transporting the wounded to nearby hospitals.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Around 656 boxes of original 2020 election records – as opposed to copies – were seized, according to Fulton County Commissioner Marvin Arrington.
    Aysha Bagchi, USA Today, 11 Feb. 2026
  • The National Owners Association, an independent franchisee advocate group, adopted a Franchisee Bill of Rights in August and circulated it in an email to members last month as the standards took effect, according to a copy of the message viewed by CNBC.
    Kate Rogers, CNBC, 11 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The sterile males then mate with females, who only reproduce once in a lifetime.
    Bloomberg Wire, Dallas Morning News, 7 Feb. 2026
  • In many instances, the images were created by anonymous photographers and reproduced as postcards.
    Lianne Kolirin, CNN Money, 5 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The other big hit for me was Spellbound by Magic Castle, an experience inspired by the legendary magician Cardini (Richard Valentine Pitchford) that replicates a 1920s speakeasy complete with mood lighting, furnishings, and curiosities from Hollywood’s Magic Castle.
    Fran Golden, Travel + Leisure, 8 Feb. 2026
  • The state can build a blueprint that other states can replicate—one that includes policy, legal protections, funding, and public mobilization.
    Matthew Blinstrubas, Hartford Courant, 7 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The comapny recently doubled its stake in Swiss dermatology group Galderma, in a deal that is expected to close this quarter.
    Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 8 Feb. 2026
  • The $50,000 fine is for a first offense, and that amount doubles after a school’s second.
    Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 8 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Before Thursday night’s ceremony, Stafford walked the red carpet with his wife and daughters, the young girls all wearing similar dresses.
    Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026
  • Insights into Alzheimer’s Interestingly, the molecular tricks spiders use to spin their webs are similar to the sophisticated signaling processes found in human neurotransmitter and hormone receptors.
    Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 6 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • On Robbie’s left wrist was a replica of a bracelet Charlotte Brontë had made after Emily and Anne died.
    Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 6 Feb. 2026
  • The replica of the ARM is an electronic chip board during a collaborative ceremony launching a partnership between Malaysia and ARM Holdings in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on March 5, 2025.
    Dylan Butts, CNBC, 5 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Duplicate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/duplicate. Accessed 13 Feb. 2026.

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