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
Good morning, Indy, and sorry for the duplicate newsletter yesterday. Joe Mutascio, IndyStar, 15 Jan. 2026 In a court filing on Monday, plaintiffs' lawyers asked Cobb to hold an emergency hearing and decide if the duplicate notice policy violates her order. Wcco Staff, CBS News, 13 Jan. 2026
Noun
Keeping the loan resulted in a loss to the Small Business Administration, which purchased a guaranty on the duplicate, the judge decided. Andrea Klick, Daily News, 27 Jan. 2026 Some of the 401 complaints were duplicate calls about the same animal. Tracey McManus, Dallas Morning News, 27 Jan. 2026
Verb
My goal is to make this the best program out there, so it's duplicated over and over again. Kaley Fedko, CBS News, 19 Jan. 2026 King added another personal dimension to his dream that Adams couldn’t duplicate. John Blake, CNN Money, 18 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for duplicate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for duplicate
Adjective
  • Benriner Mandoline Slicer Paltrow showed us her trick for slicing paper-thin fennel for her jam — using a mandoline that looks almost identical to this one.
    Jeaneen Russell, PEOPLE, 31 Jan. 2026
  • When compared with new business startups, the attrition rate is nearly identical.
    Allen Buchanan, Oc Register, 31 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Women other than Maxwell were redacted from videos and images being released Friday, Blanche said.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 31 Jan. 2026
  • View gallery - 3 images Walking in the rain with an umbrella is never a hands-free experience.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 31 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • The modern bike on the left is a fairly sharp copy of the 1040s original (right).
    William Roberson, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
  • Two members of the Coordination Framework confirmed to The Associated Press having received the message, a copy of which was circulated widely on social media.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 29 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • One ecosystem reproduces itself through procedure; the other through attention.
    Güney Yıldız, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026
  • This article originally appeared in Spektrum der Wissenschaft and was reproduced with permission.
    Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 24 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Perry delighted fans with more basketball, but UCLA couldn’t replicate his composure in the extra periods.
    Aaron Heisen, Daily News, 1 Feb. 2026
  • There is so much about Ohtani that cannot be replicated.
    Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 1 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The median burden in the priciest counties has slightly more than doubled from their low of a 37% share of income.
    Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 31 Jan. 2026
  • Still, reports of bear sightings in Connecticut more than doubled over the last decade, from about 4,500 sightings in 2015 to more than 12,100 sightings in 2025.
    Sasha Allen, Hartford Courant, 31 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Services revenue is expected to grow at a year-over-year rate similar to what Apple just reported, so call it about 14%.
    Jeff Marks, CNBC, 30 Jan. 2026
  • Everyone followed a similar sartorial rhythm, in sheer looks, black sparkles, and some cool-toned mint.
    Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 30 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • This season, Roseberry continued his mission with a haute couture collection that featured replica reptilian textures, protruding tusk breasts, scorpion bustiers and a translucent two-piece skirt suit rendered in hyperreal blowfish scales.
    Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 29 Jan. 2026
  • The headtopper has an interesting history, as Queen Mary commissioned the pearl and diamond design from Garrard in 1913 as a replica of an ancestral jewel.
    Janine Henni, PEOPLE, 29 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

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

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