Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

imitate

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of imitate

1 to use (someone or something) as the model for one's speech, mannerisms, or behavior
  • teenage musicians who imitate whichever rock stars are hot
Synonyms of imitate

ape, copy, copycat, emulate, mime, mimic
Words Related to imitate

ditto, echo, reecho, repeat

burlesque, caricature, lampoon, mock, parody, travesty

impersonate, perform, play

pantomime
2 to copy or exaggerate (someone or something) in order to make fun of
  • imitating someone's stutter and laughing at them is a cruel thing to do
Synonyms of imitate

burlesque, caricature, do, mimic, mock, parody, send up, spoof, travesty
Words Related to imitate

lampoon, pasquinade, satirize

deride, gibe (or jibe), ridicule

ape, copycat, monkey, parrot

duplicate, emulate, replicate, reproduce

act, counterfeit, dissemble, fake, feign, pretend, sham, simulate

elaborate, embellish, embroider, exaggerate, magnify, pad, play up, stretch

amplify, enhance, enlarge (on or upon), expand, flesh (out), overdraw, overstate, put on

mime, pantomime

impersonate, perform, personate, play
3 to make an exact likeness of
  • a second-rate artist who was notorious for imitating the works of other painters
Synonyms of imitate

clone, copy, copycat, duplicate, reduplicate, render, replicate, reproduce
Words Related to imitate

counterfeit, fake, forge, knock off, rip off

mimic, simulate

reconstruct, re-create
Near Antonyms of imitate

create, imagine, initiate, invent
Antonyms of imitate

originate

Synonym Discussion of imitate

copy, imitate, mimic, ape, mock mean to make something so that it resembles an existing thing. copy suggests duplicating an original as nearly as possible.
    • copied the painting and sold the fake as an original
imitate suggests following a model or a pattern but may allow for some variation.
    • imitate a poet's style
mimic implies a close copying (as of voice or mannerism) often for fun, ridicule, or lifelike imitation.
    • pupils mimicking their teacher
ape may suggest presumptuous, slavish, or inept imitating of a superior original.
    • American fashion designers aped their European colleagues
mock usually implies imitation with derision.
    • mocking a vain man's pompous manner

Learn More about imitate

  1. See words that rhyme with imitate Dictionary: Definition of imitate Spanish Central: Translation of imitate Nglish: Translation of imitate for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of imitate for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up imitate? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show comments hide comments
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

assiduous

Listen to the pronounciation of assiduous

showing great care, attention, and effort

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. auspice Trump comments on North Korea rumors

  2. folderol Rees-Mogg dismisses Brexit changes

  3. reticent Mueller's team hesitant to testify

SEE ALL
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games