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
No two seasons are ever duplicate copies of one another. Frank Rajkowski, Twin Cities, 22 Feb. 2026 The data contained some discrepancies and duplicate entries. Aileen Clarke, Austin American Statesman, 19 Feb. 2026
Noun
Many files appear to be duplicates, however. Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 20 Feb. 2026 Our 23 chromosomes come in pairs that are essentially near duplicates of each other (with the exception of XY pairs). Roxanne Khamsi, The Atlantic, 15 Feb. 2026
Verb
There are some costs that will be duplicated … but that money will be used to invest. Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 3 Mar. 2026 Volunteers in more than 30 other Canadian communities have since duplicated his website in an effort to attract their own American nurses and doctors. Brett Kelman, NPR, 25 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for duplicate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for duplicate
Adjective
  • Yet after three straight seasons with identical point totals, 41 apiece, Strome had played in just over half the team’s games this year between injuries, illness and healthy scratches peppered into that mix of maladies.
    Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 7 Mar. 2026
  • The teams came in with identical records – 25-5 overall and 15-3 in conference play – and the game looked virtually even with eight minutes left.
    Ben Messinger, Daily News, 7 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The machine scanned the skull using bright, nondestructive X-rays, generating over 9,000 high-resolution images and terabytes of data.
    Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 7 Mar. 2026
  • An investigation by the Bakersfield Police Department also led to separate charges citing Mays for possession of more than 600 images of youth or child pornography and distribution of obscene matter involving someone younger than 18.
    Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Bring your physical passport while shopping (not all retailers accept a copy or photo) and always ask for a VAT refund form—and make sure it’s stamped or signed.
    Lane Nieset, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Mar. 2026
  • All of the legislature’s 66 Democratic lawmakers, including the leadership of both the House and Senate, signed the letter, according to a copy obtained by The Post.
    Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 11 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • This article originally appeared in Spektrum der Wissenschaft and was reproduced with permission.
    Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 8 Mar. 2026
  • No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
    Danielle Parker, CBS News, 8 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The Creature thinks his suffering can only cease if it is replicated in another, and expresses this desire through possessive, dehumanizing language.
    Rory Doherty, Time, 7 Mar. 2026
  • Collinsworth hopes the model provided by Jericho Village can be replicated across the country to solve affordable housing crises in many communities.
    Lilly Kersh, Dallas Morning News, 7 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Pete Crow-Armstrong doubled before Clement scored on a wild pitch by Andre Scrubb to tie it 1-1.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2026
  • Over the past four years, the number of New Zealanders aged 30-50 emigrating has more than doubled – from 18,000 to 43,000 – fueled by rising living costs and a weakening job market, demographers told CNN.
    Laura Sharman, CNN Money, 7 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Controlling Iran’s oil in any similar fashion has not been a main topic of conversation inside the administration, people familiar with the situation told Semafor.
    Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 13 Mar. 2026
  • The team found a major levoglucosan peak centered around 1128 CE, coinciding with a similar peak recorded from the Schwarzboden mire peat core, another important reservoir of atmospheric history sampled about 12 miles southeast of Weißseespitze.
    Nidhi Sharma, Popular Science, 13 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • During modern times, the Texas State Historic Site has served as prime picnic grounds that accommodated the Star of the Republic Museum, an ample visitors center, a replica of the Republic of Texas capitol building, and broad meadows fringed with forest where the original townsite stood.
    Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 5 Mar. 2026
  • As part of his reward for donating his roe-swollen bigmouth to the stocking program, he’ll be given a replica mount of the huge fish.
    Bob McNally, Outdoor Life, 5 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

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

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