Definition of duplicatenext
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
For example, a data agent can keep a fundraiser’s data foundation clean and usable, eliminating duplicate records, filling gaps and maintaining data without constant manual upkeep. Dennis Fois, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026 Contacts Cleaner finds duplicate and incomplete entries in your contacts list. Neil J. Rubenking, PC Magazine, 24 June 2026
Noun
There’s been potential discrepancies and a few ballots the machines have declined, but the board has unanimously voted to just make duplicates of those ballots with the same result, appeasing the tabulators. Angela George, Sioux Falls Argus Leader, 8 July 2026 One-click cleanup tools automatically identify unnecessary duplicates while keeping important files protected. Stackcommerce Team, PC Magazine, 1 July 2026
Verb
Detroit still has Cade Cunningham, but duplicating last season will be tough. David Aldridge, New York Times, 2 July 2026 The software uses an advanced scanning algorithm to compare both file names and contents, helping identify duplicate files with high accuracy. Stackcommerce Team, PC Magazine, 1 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for duplicate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for duplicate
Adjective
  • Dream Pairs Platform Wedge Sandals The Dream Pairs Platform Wedge Sandals look nearly identical to Gaines’ strappy heels, and they’re currently marked down to $36.
    Averi Baudler, PEOPLE, 19 July 2026
  • Halftime substitute Blake Bodily, functioning more centrally as an attacking midfielder rather than his typical wing position, scored an almost identical goal to Portland’s opener.
    Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 18 July 2026
Noun
  • Andrew Tate faces 42 charges, including rape, human trafficking, indecent images of a child and assault, according to the UK Crown Prosecution Service and Bedfordshire Police.
    Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN Money, 20 July 2026
  • The lawsuit alleges that Sheriff Robert Luna failed to confiscate Giandomenico’s phone after learning of the photos and tried to conceal from Nancy Lemus that the images existed.
    Andrew Khouri, Los Angeles Times, 19 July 2026
Noun
  • League winners would receive a refund of their buy-in, an NFL jersey and helmet of their choice, scouting classes with Miller and a copy of Madden 20, according to the post.
    Alex Andrejev, New York Times, 17 July 2026
  • Bliss Brain sent me a copy of this game for the purposes of this review.
    Ollie Barder, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
Verb
  • The interest is less in reproducing historical jewelry — no one is asking clients to dress like Julius Caesar — than in giving contemporary pieces the patina, uniqueness and narrative of objects that appear to have lived another life.
    Thomas Waller, Footwear News, 16 July 2026
  • Finding egg cases or droppings resembling pepper or coffee grounds usually means that the population is reproducing.
    Faith Wakefield, USA Today, 16 July 2026
Verb
  • Mastros becomes the seventh position player to transfer to Georgia this offseason, as the Bulldogs continue to build up their 2027 roster and attempt to replicate the success from this past season.
    Hunter DeLauder, AJC.com, 15 July 2026
  • After an investigation was conducted, the Cruise Lines International Association and the International Maritime Organization implemented over 30 new safety rules and policies to avoid replicating the 2012 disaster, per CNN.
    Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 15 July 2026
Verb
  • Having one copy of the APOE4 variant may double or triple the chance of developing Alzheimer’s, while having two copies may raise risk by tenfold or more.
    Sandee LaMotte, CNN Money, 15 July 2026
  • The evening also doubles as a fundraising event benefiting the Giving Kitchen.
    Sam Flemming, AJC.com, 15 July 2026
Adjective
  • Unfortunately for this part of the Lamborghini customer base, its chief marketing and sales officer Federico Foschini says there are currently no plans to put a similar transmission in one of the marque’s supercars.
    Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 15 July 2026
  • Plenty of similar parties benefit from the same big-tent communal mindset.
    Kiana Mickles, Pitchfork, 15 July 2026
Noun
  • Javier Bardem, wearing a Spain replica shirt with Borja Iglesias’ name and No 26 on the back, was shown celebrating in the stands.
    Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 20 July 2026
  • The foursome was seated arm in arm, wearing replica jerseys of Spain’s team and celebrating the country’s dramatic semifinal win over France.
    Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 19 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Duplicate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/duplicate. Accessed 22 Jul. 2026.

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