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 Playing as a hi-res facsimile of Keanu Reeves on a Nintendo feels kind of revelatory in that regard. Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 5 June 2025 What makes her fans stop this particular 28-year-old on the street, paint facsimiles of her freckles on their faces, and wait in line to buy her $20 smoothie collab at Erewhon? Alessandra Codinha, Vogue, 20 May 2025 For those unfamiliar, digital twins in the healthcare context are essentially intricate facsimiles of people in the digital ether, constructed from medical records, biometric signals, genomic data and behavioral patterns. Mika Newton, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025 Her facsimile of Maurizio Cattelan’s $6 million banana taped to a wall won a company prize at the Met. Air Mail, 26 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for facsimile
Recent Examples of Synonyms for facsimile
Noun
  • In one extreme case, SAFE even designed a private replica of the Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix circuit—complete with harbor and tunnel—for a client’s children to race 100+ mph electric karts underground.
    Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 29 July 2025
  • Between historical buildings, replica buildings, and museum exhibits, there are dozens of access points into the past at Manatee Village Historical Park.
    Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 26 July 2025
Noun
  • The State Fair's current lease with the city of Dallas — which owns the 277-acre Fair Park — does not end until 2038, according to a copy of the contract obtained by the American-Statesman.
    Bayliss Wagner, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
  • The county did not respond to The Enquirer's request for a copy of the contract and did not reveal the cost or specifics of the arrangement.
    Scott Wartman, The Enquirer, 30 July 2025
Noun
  • Check out images of the iconic statue over the years.
    Lorenzino Estrada, AZCentral.com, 29 July 2025
  • The company has repeatedly touted the image processing capabilities of its chips as unlike competitors, Tesla’s self-driving technology only relies on cameras instead of other sensors like radars and lidars.
    Siladitya Ray, Forbes.com, 28 July 2025
Noun
  • An unconventional approach to reproduction is reportedly reducing the risk of metabolic disease.
    Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 25 July 2025
  • Faced with the choice between reproduction and self-preservation… the females appear to be choosing the latter.
    Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025
Noun
  • Survivors include his wife, Maxine, an interior designer and artist; his children, Daisy, Doug, Sam and twins Jake and Zack; his grandchildren, Spencer, Jasper, Sienna, Ryan and Charlotte; and his daughters-in-law, Brett and Leah.
    Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 21 July 2025
  • Smile sadly at her, his face an eerie twin of her own.
    Mona Awad, New Yorker, 20 July 2025
Noun
  • For trucking cases where liability can hinge on a phone interaction seconds before impact, logical extraction provides an incomplete and potentially misleading picture.
    Lars Daniel, Forbes.com, 22 July 2025
  • Actor Paddy Considine shared a picture of Osbourne on Instagram.
    Marina Watts, People.com, 22 July 2025
Noun
  • Everyone knows the clones that served alongside General Obi-Wan Kenobi on Utapau, though.
    Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 4 July 2025
  • Tatiana Maslany anchors this Canadian potboiler with her portrayal of about a dozen (give or take) clones all built from the same original.
    Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 3 July 2025
Noun
  • There’s also a portrait of an adult Dolly in the lobby on the opposite side of the lobby.
    Robin Raven, Forbes.com, 26 July 2025
  • The family portraits in the set's side panels at the beginning of each episode are priceless.
    Lindsay Soll, EW.com, 25 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Facsimile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/facsimile. Accessed 1 Aug. 2025.

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