1
as in coming (to)
to be the same in meaning or effect
what they offered at the new resort didn't begin to emulate the kind of pampering we were used to getting at the resort that closed down
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in imitating
to use (someone or something) as the model for one's speech, mannerisms, or behavior
a pro athlete who has often said that children should emulate their parents—not him
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of emulating
But Brady understands that emulating his father would work out quite well for him.
—
Sahadev Sharma, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026
Before that awkward post-flight encounter, Liu made an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on Tuesday night, gifting host Jimmy Fallon a wig emulating her iconic halo hair.
—Daysia Tolentino, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Mar. 2026
That model was unlike anything else on the market at the time, with separate amplifier circuits for cleaner separation in each channel, and a vacuum tube preamp stage for analog smoothness and warmth – sort of emulating an audiophile's full system setup.
—New Atlas, 17 Feb. 2026
The show was so big that ABC soon began emulating the Roman numeral naming convention of the Super Bowl, and by the time the concept had run its course, the Battle franchise closed out in 1988 just shy of the XX mark.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 16 Feb. 2026
The amber hue of the beaded chokers acts as a neutral color against the lapis-blue top, emulating a similar warmth to the yellow-gold pendant to tie the accessories together.
—Abby Morgan Lebet, Glamour, 3 Feb. 2026
Brosnan, as Steele, was always impeccably turned out; Newsom began emulating him, coiffing his hair, wearing a suit to school.
—Maya Singer, Vogue, 1 Feb. 2026
From media mogul to fashion icon, Oprah Winfrey’s legacy remains one worth emulating, season after season.
—Mecca Pryor, Essence, 29 Jan. 2026
The move comes after the Legislature’s Elon Musk-emulating DOGE committee looked into the commission.
—Idaho Statesman, 22 Jan. 2026
Sahadev Sharma, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026
Before that awkward post-flight encounter, Liu made an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on Tuesday night, gifting host Jimmy Fallon a wig emulating her iconic halo hair.
—Daysia Tolentino, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Mar. 2026
That model was unlike anything else on the market at the time, with separate amplifier circuits for cleaner separation in each channel, and a vacuum tube preamp stage for analog smoothness and warmth – sort of emulating an audiophile's full system setup.
—New Atlas, 17 Feb. 2026
The show was so big that ABC soon began emulating the Roman numeral naming convention of the Super Bowl, and by the time the concept had run its course, the Battle franchise closed out in 1988 just shy of the XX mark.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 16 Feb. 2026
The amber hue of the beaded chokers acts as a neutral color against the lapis-blue top, emulating a similar warmth to the yellow-gold pendant to tie the accessories together.
—Abby Morgan Lebet, Glamour, 3 Feb. 2026
Brosnan, as Steele, was always impeccably turned out; Newsom began emulating him, coiffing his hair, wearing a suit to school.
—Maya Singer, Vogue, 1 Feb. 2026
From media mogul to fashion icon, Oprah Winfrey’s legacy remains one worth emulating, season after season.
—Mecca Pryor, Essence, 29 Jan. 2026
The move comes after the Legislature’s Elon Musk-emulating DOGE committee looked into the commission.
—Idaho Statesman, 22 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for emulating
Verb
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The Jall Wake Up Light Sunrise Alarm Clock uses this science by imitating the sun’s gradual rise and, when used over time, can even ease your circadian rhythm into a pattern.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Mar. 2026
-
In critiquing Trump on social media, Newsom has taken to imitating the president’s tone, trolling Trump in his all-caps style.—
Meg Kinnard,
Fortune,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Miami finished the game with 11 three-pointers on 18 attempts, matching its season high.—
Field Level Media,
Miami Herald,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Vergara embraced the latte dressing trend, pairing the rich colorway with a matching $3,500 Bottega Veneta bag and a suede, camel trench coat.—
Daisy Maldonado,
InStyle,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The human brain doesn’t achieve intelligence by copying one type of neuron billions of times, but by combining many different specialized cell types and circuits that work together.—
Jeremy Kahn,
Fortune,
26 Feb. 2026
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Trader Joe’s is also facing a legal challenge from Smucker, which has filed a lawsuit accusing it of copying its trademark crustless peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, The Times reported last year.—
Iris Kwok,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Shortly after trumpeter Ethan Marks took to the sidewalk, one of the American Hotel’s current residents leaned out his window and began vocally and jovially mimicking the fragmented and angular notes coming from the instrument.—
Todd Martens,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Mar. 2026
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The radiant tint adds just a touch of glow to the skin—mimicking a post-facial radiance—that doesn’t look glittery or emphasize texture.—
Kaitlin Clapinski,
InStyle,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
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For reference, roughly 20 million barrels of oil pass through the Strait of Hormuz each day, meaning an effort to make up for that shortfall could quickly draw down the stockpile, according to Krishnamoorti.—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Meteorologists note the possibility of small-scale spin-ups along the leading edge, meaning any tornadoes that form are likely to be isolated.—
Brandi D. Addison,
Des Moines Register,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Women everywhere rise up, signifying their sisterhood with black-ink mouth tattoos.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
4 Mar. 2026
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After the conquest, Spaniards brought thousands of Native Americans back to Spain, their faces branded with marks of the Spanish crown, their owner’s name, or terms signifying their status.—
Geraldo Cadava,
New Yorker,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Miller made six 3-pointers and the Hornets finished 16 for 42 behind the arc after totaling 72 in the previous three victories, equaling the NBA record for most in a three-game span.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
28 Feb. 2026
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Sanfort hit five 3-pointers, leaving him five away from equaling Shawn Respert's Big Ten single-season record of 80.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Spring is approaching, and the outdoors is starting to look inviting instead of dreary after a dark, chilly winter.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Communities have used loud sirens to warn people about approaching storms, tsunamis and tornadoes, but now some activists in Los Angeles are using sirens to warn about immigration agents.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Emulating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/emulating. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
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