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 efforts of the county Board of Supervisors to essentially create a duplicate unit is another example of wasteful spending. U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 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
Eliminate duplicates or lone items like unmatched socks, unwanted gifts, or free giveaways. Sarah Lyon, The Spruce, 16 Mar. 2026 The department has said it's entitled to withhold records that exposed potential abuse victims, were duplicates or protected by legal privileges, or related to an ongoing criminal investigation. CBS News, 6 Mar. 2026
Verb
San Diego County’s creation of a new consumer protection bureaucracy duplicates existing efforts, leading to a case of too many cooks in the kitchen, potentially leading to significant waste and abuse. Adam Summers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026 The study also showed that 60% of ticket purchases attributed to TikTok advertising came from audiences not reached by linear television, highlighting the platform’s ability to expand a film’s audience rather than simply duplicate reach. Partner Content, Variety, 1 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for duplicate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for duplicate
Adjective
  • Most of the candidates’ pledges, such as tackling unaffordability, reducing gas prices, increasing capacity in state prisons, protecting gun owners’ rights and keeping trans athletes out of girls’ locker rooms, are nearly identical.
    Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026
  • His numbers are nearly identical to last year’s campaign and Oklahoma City has the best record in basketball.
    Chris Branch, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • There are also other artists, like Patricia Frischer, who has been doing a series of images about the #MeToo movement and women’s rights, which are also under attack at the moment.
    Lisa Deaderick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Apr. 2026
  • In conflict, online images and videos have become essential to countering misinformation and propaganda.
    Jane Lytvynenko, NBC news, 17 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • One laborer stole a parking placard and made a copy of it in order to park in a secure lot, the OIG found.
    Talia Soglin, Chicago Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026
  • The memo, a copy of which was sent to The Associated Press, followed a long day of reports suggesting Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund was on the verge of cutting its financial backing of the upstart league.
    ABC News, ABC News, 15 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Data can be generated at near-unlimited scale, including rare or dangerous scenarios that are hard to reproduce in reality.
    Ni Tao, Interesting Engineering, 20 Apr. 2026
  • This article originally appeared in Spektrum der Wissenschaft and was reproduced with permission.
    Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 19 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • That aspiration was a kind of geopolitical superpower that no missile silo could replicate.
    Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 19 Apr. 2026
  • Their influence will need to be replicated elsewhere.
    W. James Antle III, The Washington Examiner, 19 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • His two-out, two-run double off Bryan Baker gave the Yankees a 3-2 lead in the eighth but Tampa Bay tied the score in the bottom half when Nick Fortes doubled leading off against Max Fried and scored on Yandy Díaz’s infield hit, a high-hopper to first baseman Ben Rice.
    Kristie Ackert, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 Apr. 2026
  • The twisted brick Blavatnik Building extension has doubled the hanging space and does a nice line in river views from the top floor.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • The committee will hold public hearings to learn what caused the collapse and how similar accidents can be avoided in the future.
    Tom Ignudo, CBS News, 17 Apr. 2026
  • Growing to a similar height is the mimosa or silk tree (Albizia julibrissin), another leguminous species.
    Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 16 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Under guidance issued by the state, replica firearms are not considered deadly weapons.
    Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Apr. 2026
  • Once inside, at least three graffiti writers whose names were blasted on the replica pointed it out proudly, even gave out stickers to take home.
    Julissa James, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Duplicate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/duplicate. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.

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