FACSIMILE Synonyms: 73 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

facsimile

noun

fak-ˈsi-mə-lē

Definition of facsimile next

as in replica

something or someone that strongly resembles another the family resemblance is so strong that the boy is virtually a pint-size facsimile of his father

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in copy

something that is made to look exactly like something else this is not an antique copy of the Declaration of Independence but a modern facsimile

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 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 Clear that the Jeanette in the story wasn’t the faithful facsimile of the JW writing the story. —

Literary Hub, 17 Nov. 2025 After spending years mostly directing his own projects, usually to middling reviews, Clooney has recently turned in a couple of performances that felt like pale facsimiles of former glories, in the rom-com Ticket to Paradise and the action-thriller Wolfs. —

David Sims, The Atlantic, 14 Nov. 2025 Europa-Park in Rust, Germany A cheeky European facsimile of a famous theme park mouse couple, Europa-Park’s Ed and Edda’s ears will never form an iconic silhouette. —

Zachary Laks, Travel + Leisure, 17 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for facsimile

Recent Examples of Synonyms for facsimile

Noun

The object was a full-sized replica of the space capsule that will house a miniature IVF lab.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 Feb. 2026
These are the narrative details of great costuming; not one-to-one replicas, but looks that capture the spirit, priorities and instincts of the person onscreen.

— Rachel Tashjian, CNN Money, 19 Feb. 2026