IMITATES Synonyms: 72 Similar and Opposite Words

imitates

verb

present tense third-person singular of imitate

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

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

as in reproduces

to make an exact likeness of a second-rate artist who was notorious for imitating the works of other painters

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for imitates

Verb

Instead, the site recommends a homemade mixture consisting of four parts water to one part sugar, which emulates the amount of sugar naturally found in nectar.

— Josh Kelly, Oklahoman, 27 Feb. 2026
The season emulates the 40 days Jesus spent fasting and avoiding the temptations of evil in the desert, as mentioned in the Bible.

— Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 22 Feb. 2026