Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
×

Thesaurus

imitate

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of imitate

1 to use (someone or something) as the model for one's speech, mannerisms, or behavior
  • He's good at imitating his father.
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
  • Mom, make him stop imitating me!
Synonyms of imitate

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

lampoon, 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 hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

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