1
as in emulating
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
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2
as in parodying
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 copying
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 imitating
Painters and sculptors, most of them spend their careers imitating themselves, in a sense.
—
Matthew Carey, Deadline, 2 Sep. 2025
Paul fears art imitating life by also boiling down to breadline survival strategies.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 29 Aug. 2025
Many newcomers have been accused of imitating jaydes and wifiskeleton, who, like XXXTentacion before them, began in the rap underworld before turning to tears-and-terror rock.
—Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 27 Aug. 2025
The ceiling itself moves with fluid lines, imitating the waves of the sea nearby.
—Ludovica Stevan, Architectural Digest, 24 Aug. 2025
Describe your response, not what happened to you—readers are interested in imitating leaders, not victims.
—Vikrant Shaurya, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025
In recent years, researchers have created machines imitating the look and movement of bats, coyotes, falcons, rats, guppies, bees, and even cockroaches.
—Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 13 Aug. 2025
In a clip posted by mom Aspen Gore (@aspenbrooke) on TikTok, her 24-year-old husband, Adam, gets down on all fours, imitating the way his young son might crawl toward an electrical socket.
—Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Aug. 2025
There’s something to be said about art imitating life in this plot line.
—Martha Ross, Mercury News, 12 Aug. 2025
Matthew Carey, Deadline, 2 Sep. 2025
Paul fears art imitating life by also boiling down to breadline survival strategies.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 29 Aug. 2025
Many newcomers have been accused of imitating jaydes and wifiskeleton, who, like XXXTentacion before them, began in the rap underworld before turning to tears-and-terror rock.
—Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 27 Aug. 2025
The ceiling itself moves with fluid lines, imitating the waves of the sea nearby.
—Ludovica Stevan, Architectural Digest, 24 Aug. 2025
Describe your response, not what happened to you—readers are interested in imitating leaders, not victims.
—Vikrant Shaurya, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025
In recent years, researchers have created machines imitating the look and movement of bats, coyotes, falcons, rats, guppies, bees, and even cockroaches.
—Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 13 Aug. 2025
In a clip posted by mom Aspen Gore (@aspenbrooke) on TikTok, her 24-year-old husband, Adam, gets down on all fours, imitating the way his young son might crawl toward an electrical socket.
—Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Aug. 2025
There’s something to be said about art imitating life in this plot line.
—Martha Ross, Mercury News, 12 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for imitating
Verb
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This directorial debut of screenwriter Gary Dauberman comes closest to emulating James Wan’s style.—
Emily Palmer Heller,
Vulture,
5 Sep. 2025
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An opening clash in Luxembourg is followed up by a bout against the four-time world champions in Cologne, as Michael O’Neill’s young team dreams of emulating the side that made it to the 1986 tournament in Mexico.—
Jack Bantock,
New York Times,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Stars like Doja Cat and Lizzo have enjoyed poking fun and parodying the ads.—
Mekishana Pierre,
EW.com,
25 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Ice Spice was credited for helping to bring back the style, while Latto was accused of copying her.—
Amber Corrine,
VIBE.com,
4 Sep. 2025
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Instead of copying your yoga instructor or your wildly bendy friend, try the seven moves listed below.—
Jenny McCoy,
Outside,
31 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Sleep-mimicking anesthetics, like Dex, don’t produce a perfect imitation.—
RJ Mackenzie,
Popular Science,
3 Sep. 2025
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Cinderella Castle, built in 1971, was originally painted in grays, blues, and golds, mimicking a European-style palace-fortress with romanticized medieval elements, according to Disney.—
Jordan King,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Sep. 2025
Verb
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And in June, a Chicago White Sox fan was ejected from a game and later banned for life after mocking Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte’s late mother during a game.—
Sean Neumann,
People.com,
18 Aug. 2025
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Giants rookie Abdul Carter belittled the Jets on Sunday while mocking the first lowlight of his NFL career.—
Pat Leonard,
New York Daily News,
18 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Bibler is being charged with eight counts of possessing child pornography and eight counts of reproducing child pornography involving a victim under 13, officials said.—
Aurora Beacon-News,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Sep. 2025
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The talents are seen posing in a public bathroom with red and black tiles, reproducing the set of Michele’s sophomore Valentino ready-to-wear show, staged in a giant public toilet bathed in red light.—
Luisa Zargani,
Footwear News,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Along the top of the fire, the crews continue working slowly parallel with, and sometimes on, the McKinley Grove Road, doing clearing vegetation by hand, applying pre-treatment, and conducting critical strategic firing operations to remove heavy vegetation in front of the active fire front.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
7 Sep. 2025
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Present them with advice and encouragement and then present them with a reward for doing it, the T-shirt and the medal and the photographs.—
George Caulkin,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
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For a muted approach, try replicating Myers' suede co-ord look from the Fall 2025 Calvin Klein show (left).—
Michelle Lee,
PEOPLE,
4 Sep. 2025
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While the offense needs to regain its mojo, the Dolphins defense would benefit from replicating last year’s success.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
4 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Imitating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imitating. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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