Definition of facsimilenext

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun facsimile differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of facsimile are copy, duplicate, replica, and reproduction. While all these words mean "a thing made to closely resemble another," facsimile suggests a close reproduction often of graphic matter that may differ in scale.

a facsimile of a rare book

When is it sensible to use copy instead of facsimile?

In some situations, the words copy and facsimile are roughly equivalent. However, copy applies especially to one of a number of things reproduced mechanically.

printed 1000 copies of the lithograph

When can duplicate be used instead of facsimile?

The synonyms duplicate and facsimile are sometimes interchangeable, but duplicate implies a double or counterpart exactly corresponding to another thing.

a duplicate of a house key

When might replica be a better fit than facsimile?

Although the words replica and facsimile have much in common, 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

In what contexts can reproduction take the place of facsimile?

While in some cases nearly identical to facsimile, 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 facsimile Seventeen were replaced with reproductions or facsimiles, while three were taken off view. — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 6 Aug. 2026 But baseball is rife with parallels between talented players present and past, and Gant might be Rose’s perfect facsimile. — Kansas City Star, 18 July 2026 Jewett points out that there are plenty of applications, such as drug delivery and diagnostics, that don’t need a cell that fully rebuilds itself but could benefit from a facsimile like the SpudCell. — Lori Youmshajekian, Scientific American, 14 July 2026 Reconstruction will not create a facsimile of the original LC-36A, however. — Mike Wall, Space.com, 30 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for facsimile
Recent Examples of Synonyms for facsimile
Noun
  • The Southern Alps are an almost exact replica of the Himalayas in terms of their lot formations and crevasse fields, according to Hiddleston.
    — Tamara Southward, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The trio also talked about building a replica of the Young statue, which would be placed in the Renaissance Center once it is revamped.
    — Carol Cain, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Researchers at the company tested how AI models might act as computer worms, programs that move between devices and leave copies of themselves behind, among everyday household gadgets.
    — Peter Hall, Scientific American, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The Miami Herald was unsuccessful in reaching Dorworth, but did reach his former attorney who asked for a copy of the lawsuit.
    — Julie K. Brown, Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • The team sought to identify an anomaly first seen in satellite images in 2020.
    — Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 19 Oct. 2026
  • The damage and disruption could also affect France’s image as a tourist destination in the long-term.
    — Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 19 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Because of the aphids’ fast reproduction and ability to disperse quickly to other plants, Crumbley recommends focusing on reducing the pest’s harborage sites as opposed to introducing marigolds or other companion plants in the fall.
    — Nadia Hassani, The Spruce, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Framed reproduction prints from it now hang throughout the house.
    — Nuriyah Johar, Architectural Digest, 16 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • In my tests, with the lower-brightness Cinema mode, the UHZ36 was easily bright enough to deliver a suitably bright picture for both SDR and HDR material on my 90-inch screen in a dark room.
    — M. David Stone, PC Magazine, 18 Oct. 2026
  • That ended Notre Dame's 16-game winning streak and is one of several outcomes that are going to shake up the rankings and CFP picture in a big, big way.
    — Matt Reigle OutKick, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • The twins pleaded not guilty and have denied the allegations through their attorneys.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 20 Oct. 2026
  • The twins, Dallas, a girl, and Tyson, a boy, were 18 months old.
    — Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 20 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Like Avril Lavigne and Jim Carrey, Selena Gomez has received her fair share of celebrity-clone-replacement allegations from online conspiracy theorists.
    — Isabella Albaig, Vulture, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Since its earliest days, the video game industry has been built on developers creating clones of competing games, with varying levels of originality and varying levels of enforcement from game platforms.
    — Kyle Orland, ArsTechnica, 19 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • The orchestra paints a colorful musical portrait for the choreography.
    — Libby Smith, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Around the same time, Rivera painted a full-body portrait of Pan dancing, and Pan hung the painting in the parlor of his house.
    — David Hajdu, Vanity Fair, 20 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Facsimile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/facsimile. Accessed 22 Oct. 2026.

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