1
as in emulates
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
Relevance
2
as in mocks
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
3
as in reproduces
to make an exact likeness of
a second-rate artist who was notorious for imitating the works of other painters
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of imitates
Patagonia’s proprietary synthetic fill imitates down’s structure by spinning air-trapping microfilaments around a central fiber and requires fewer stabilizing seams and baffles than down.
—
Kelly Bastone, Outside, 10 Feb. 2026
And, because life sometimes imitates art, Williams and Storrie are heading to the Olympics.
—Anna Zucca, Vanity Fair, 23 Jan. 2026
The layered neckline, with the bust peeking out from behind, imitates this season's hottest red carpet trend, the semi-visible bra.
—Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 12 Jan. 2026
Its light imitates an actual sunrise, gradually going from red to bright white.
—Quincy Bulin, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Jan. 2026
The style imitates that of many social media influencers, who seek to keep their content dynamic.
—Ross O'Keefe, The Washington Examiner, 1 Jan. 2026
Louvre robbery Heists are usually seen only in films, but sometimes, life imitates art.
—Will Barker, TheWeek, 30 Dec. 2025
The project starts to unravel when life imitates art and a real anaconda begins hunting them down.
—Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 28 Dec. 2025
Art imitates life for the Levy family.
—Sophie Dodd, PEOPLE, 21 Dec. 2025
Kelly Bastone, Outside, 10 Feb. 2026
And, because life sometimes imitates art, Williams and Storrie are heading to the Olympics.
—Anna Zucca, Vanity Fair, 23 Jan. 2026
The layered neckline, with the bust peeking out from behind, imitates this season's hottest red carpet trend, the semi-visible bra.
—Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 12 Jan. 2026
Its light imitates an actual sunrise, gradually going from red to bright white.
—Quincy Bulin, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Jan. 2026
The style imitates that of many social media influencers, who seek to keep their content dynamic.
—Ross O'Keefe, The Washington Examiner, 1 Jan. 2026
Louvre robbery Heists are usually seen only in films, but sometimes, life imitates art.
—Will Barker, TheWeek, 30 Dec. 2025
The project starts to unravel when life imitates art and a real anaconda begins hunting them down.
—Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 28 Dec. 2025
Art imitates life for the Levy family.
—Sophie Dodd, PEOPLE, 21 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for imitates
Verb
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Lent is a 40-day period of fasting and prayer that emulates Jesus Christ's time in the desert.—
Chris Sims,
Louisville Courier Journal,
18 Feb. 2026
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The 60-second spot emulates a karaoke screen at a bar, with basic computer animation and less-than-stylish graphics.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The worst thing Isabella does to Cathy is murder the doll version of her after Cathy mocks her feelings for Heathcliff.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
13 Feb. 2026
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Chelsea Handler honors Rob Reiner, mocks DiCaprio's 'Titanic' vacationNeed a news break?—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
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One ecosystem reproduces itself through procedure; the other through attention.—
Güney Yıldız,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
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EagleMania not just reproduces the music of the famous rock band with their five-part harmony and guitar work but captures their distinct sound.—
Caroline Ritzie,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
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From about 2011 to 2014, Gates emails Epstein directly, and often one of the pair copies Cohen or Nikolic.—
Erin Mansfield,
USA Today,
5 Feb. 2026
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Despite initial skepticism, the 1994 tournament drew record crowds and $50 million surplus, spurring MLS’s creation and innovations FIFA now copies worldwide.—
Kevin Baxter,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Newsom has been trying to raise his national profile, adopting a combative style that parodies Trump’s social media strategy with similar all-caps posts, memes and merchandise.—
Adriana Gomez Licon,
Fortune,
26 Oct. 2025
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In another nod to Scream, Cheri Oteri parodies Courteney Cox’s Gale Weathers as the comically unethical news anchor Gail Hailstorm.—
Skyler Trepel,
Entertainment Weekly,
19 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The Wall replicates an ultra fan setting straight out of a European or South American soccer match.—
David K. Li,
NBC news,
12 Feb. 2026
-
The other big hit for me was Spellbound by Magic Castle, an experience inspired by the legendary magician Cardini (Richard Valentine Pitchford) that replicates a 1920s speakeasy complete with mood lighting, furnishings, and curiosities from Hollywood’s Magic Castle.—
Fran Golden,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The red and gold stripes over the blue horizon mimics a beautiful desert sunset, with the star in the middle symbolizing copper.—
Becky Bartkowski,
AZCentral.com,
14 Feb. 2026
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There will also be an interactive videoscape that mimics a lava lamp.—
Tanasia Kenney,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Decluttering your home may not be motivating on its own, but supporting charitable organizations, reducing landfill waste, and helping others find affordable essentials by donating to thrift stores often does the trick.—
Nafeesah Allen,
Better Homes & Gardens,
19 Feb. 2026
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Paying by wire transfer, check, debit card or credit card does not trigger Form 8300 reporting in the same way cash does.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
19 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Imitates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imitates. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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