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

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 imitate Today, its influence can be seen in many jewelers’ collections that imitate Belperron’s genius. Jill Newman, Robb Report, 12 June 2025 The way that whales communicate in the presence of humans also remains a perennial topic of interest for scientists; orcas, for example, seem to be capable of imitating human speech with clicks and whistles. Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 6 June 2025 One possibility is that the chimps simply chose to imitate the android—much like people and animals often mimic others in unfamiliar social situations. Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 5 June 2025 Life is not imitating art for The White Lotus stars Walton Goggins and Aimee Lou Wood. Sydney Bucksbaum, EW.com, 4 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for imitate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for imitate
Verb
  • In time, the Barmy Army’s move into the travel business would be emulated to allow fans to follow India on tour.
    Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 22 June 2025
  • Instead of idolizing sitcom trendsetters, many emulate lifestyle creators who promote capsule wardrobes, skincare routines, and age-appropriate yet refined looks.
    Dia Gallo, Parents, 17 June 2025
Verb
  • From the looks of it, almost everyone in GTA VI will be some version of a Florida Man or Woman, which suits the tone of the franchise which has routinely parodied American culture from all angles.
    Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 26 May 2025
  • In an April 24 interview with Piers Morgan, Bill Maher responded to Larry David’s New York Times op-ed parodying him.
    Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 25 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • In ideal conditions, flies reproduce in less than a week, says Oi.
    Arricca Elin SanSone, Southern Living, 18 June 2025
  • With the ability to reproduce an actor’s exact facial performance with little to no input from an animator, Dorothy can shoot 48 frames a second.
    Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 16 June 2025
Verb
  • An email that copied Peizer also laid out the scope of the problems: Cigna was worried about budget overruns and lack of cost savings, and questioned Ontrak’s cost calculations.
    Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 24 June 2025
  • Saturated with stores that sell the same things and copy each other, logistics is a secret weapon for companies that always keep their vision one step ahead and understand that every package and every piece of tracking information is a branding opportunity.
    David Barberá Costarrosa, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
Verb
  • In September 2024, she was mocked online after releasing a single.
    Kate Plummer, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 June 2025
  • Tonally, the show is all over the place, laying on the moody theatrics one moment, mocking Dave’s writerly pretenses the next.
    Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 25 June 2025
Verb
  • By embedding brand activations into the live environment, marketing partners aligned with the PGA Tour’s values while engaging fans in authentic, memorable ways that digital experiences can’t replicate.
    Julio Cesar Gomez, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
  • For Bailey, that includes connection, empathy, and presence, qualities that no algorithm can replicate.
    William Jones, USA Today, 26 June 2025
Verb
  • In August 2017, a giant inflatable chicken designed to mimic Trump's features drew widespread media attention when staged near the White House as a form of protest, garnering viral interest on social media.
    James Bickerton, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 June 2025
  • Monoclonal antibodies are proteins manufactured in a lab and mimic the antibodies the body naturally creates when fighting an infection.
    Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 25 June 2025
Verb
  • The way to do it is with judicious use of strong contrast colours, and that’s exactly what Nike has done here, with those pinks, blues and reds underneath the armpits and down the side of the shorts.
    Nick Miller, New York Times, 28 June 2025
  • While the audience members could still speak on the item about to be deferred, Rodriguez said, doing so would mean the public wouldn’t have the chance to address commissioners if the item ever came up for an actual vote at a future meeting.
    Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 28 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Imitate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imitate. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.

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