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 To go from a franchise that enjoyed a 30-year continuum of Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers at QB to a franchise that has spent almost as long looking for a failing to find the next Marino or even an acceptable facsimile. Greg Cote january 22, Miami Herald, 22 Jan. 2026 The 27-year-old will never be considered in the same tier as Thompson as a shooter, but Melton sure did his best facsimile in the Warriors’ victory Wednesday night over the Bucks. Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2026 This slopocalypse racked up more than eight hundred thousand views, suggesting how readily online audiences would embrace vacant facsimiles as must-see TV. Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 17 Dec. 2025 The boxer’s hair in the coming live-action movie (and frankly, the 32-year-old one) is a perfect facsimile of Balrog’s hair in the game and is, thus, stupid. Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 12 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for facsimile
Recent Examples of Synonyms for facsimile
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
Noun
  • As a solo artist, her debut album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill was a record-breaker that sold 20 million copies worldwide and earned the Grammy Award for Album of the Year in 1999.
    Kathleen Perricone, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Mar. 2026
  • Several media outlets, including The Associated Press, obtained copies of the letter, which was dated Monday.
    Tim Reynolds, Chicago Tribune, 4 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
  • Several fireplaces date back to Colcord’s time, while others, such as the living room hearth, were sourced from a London maker specializing in vintage reproductions.
    Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 7 Mar. 2026
  • So many strategies for reproduction and sexuality and gender roles in a species.
    Luke Harold, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Polling suggests the political picture is more complicated than the loudest voices on either side assert.
    Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 3 Mar. 2026
  • While each transition had been seen independently in past experiments, researchers had never captured both in succession, completing the theoretical picture.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 3 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • But the road to the Evans Scholarship was not one without challenges for the Johnson twins.
    Corey Davis, Memphis Commercial Appeal, 3 Mar. 2026
  • Digital twins — virtual replicas of buildings — allow AI to catch design flaws and cost overruns before a single shovel hits the ground.
    Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 2 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Users can create a voice clone with as little as 45 seconds of audio.
    Meghan Schiller, CBS News, 6 Mar. 2026
  • Still, a number of celebrities and others have weighed in on the clone rumors by responding to Stone’s post, according to the Daily Mail.
    Martha Ross, Mercury News, 3 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • This is Shakespeare’s most famous tragedy, a gripping portrait of a young prince caught between action and inaction, grief and rage, truth and deception.
    Cincinnati Enquirer, Cincinnati Enquirer, 7 Mar. 2026
  • Data and recordings from more than a hundred 911 calls at Camp East Montana in El Paso, Texas, along with interviews and court filings, offer a disturbing portrait of overcrowding, medical neglect, malnutrition and emotional distress.
    ABC News, ABC News, 6 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Facsimile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/facsimile. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.

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