Synonyms of imitate

imitate

verb

ˈi-mə-ˌtāt 

1

as in to emulate

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 & Similar Words

• emulate
• copy
• mimic
• repeat
• mock
• ape
• mime
• parody
• echo
• perform
• play
• copycat
• caricature
• impersonate
• ditto
• lampoon
• reecho
• burlesque
• pantomime
• travesty

2

as in to parody

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 & Similar Words

• parody
• mock
• do
• mimic
• spoof
• emulate
• caricature
• send up
• simulate
• burlesque
• reproduce
• play
• perform
• ridicule
• pretend
• replicate
• satirize
• deride
• travesty
• lampoon
• duplicate
• enhance
• ape
• parrot
• act
• feign
• personate
• gibe
• exaggerate
• embellish
• elaborate
• dissemble
• monkey
• counterfeit
• fake
• amplify
• embroider
• impersonate
• copycat
• stretch
• overstate
• mime
• magnify
• pad
• play up
• expand
• sham
• pasquinade
• flesh (out)
• enlarge (on or upon)
• put on
• pantomime
• overdraw

3

as in to reproduce

to make an exact likeness of

a second-rate artist who was notorious for imitating the works of other painters

Synonyms & Similar Words

• reproduce
• replicate
• copy
• render
• duplicate
• clone
• reconstruct
• simulate
• copycat
• mimic
• reduplicate
• forge
• counterfeit
• fake
• rip off
• re-create
• knock off

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• create
• originate
• imagine
• initiate
• invent

Synonym Chooser

How is the word imitate distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of imitate are ape, copy, mimic, and mock. While all these words mean "to make something so that it resembles an existing thing," imitate suggests following a model or a pattern but may allow for some variation.

imitate a poet's style

When is ape a more appropriate choice than imitate?

The words ape and imitate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, ape may suggest presumptuous, slavish, or inept imitating of a superior original.

American fashion designers aped their European colleagues

Where would copy be a reasonable alternative to imitate?

The synonyms copy and imitate are sometimes interchangeable, but copy suggests duplicating an original as nearly as possible.

copied the painting and sold the fake as an original

When is it sensible to use mimic instead of imitate?

The words mimic and imitate can be used in similar contexts, but mimic implies a close copying (as of voice or mannerism) often for fun, ridicule, or lifelike imitation.

pupils mimicking their teacher

When could mock be used to replace imitate?

The meanings of mock and imitate largely overlap; however, mock usually implies imitation with derision.

mocking a vain man's pompous manner

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of imitate

For incumbent candidate Dan McKee, art has already imitated life. — Whitman Littlefield, The Providence Journal, 9 Sep. 2026

To make a famous ivory-navy-and-red bouclé suit worn by Coco herself, for example, the team used combs from Walmart to crosshatch the paint’s surface and added dollops of paint to imitate bouclé’s popcorn texture. — Rachel Syme, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2026

In any event, there’s difficult-to-imitate value in how Planet of the Apes begins as a simple adventure film and winds up touching upon issues of prejudice, social inequality, and nuclear annihilation. — Jesse Hassenger, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Sep. 2026

One year later, Clooney, 65, is back at the Venice Film Festival for a spin in the spotlight on the opening night for a bit of life imitating art. — Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026