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
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Recent Examples of imitating
Hemp products imitating the designs of popular children’s snacks have become so common that the Federal Trade Commission told manufacturers to stop in 2023.
—
Gina Lee Castro, jsonline.com, 19 Feb. 2026
The most graphic pieces incorporate up to 300 different patchwork elements, imitating traditional quilting motifs.
—Alex Wynne, Footwear News, 9 Feb. 2026
Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, previously said in a statement that accounts imitating other people go against their terms of service and are removed when flagged.
—Jessica Sager, PEOPLE, 26 Jan. 2026
Broncos fans have rallied around their backup quarterback, with thousands of fans changing their social media avatars to a picture of Stidham’s face, photoshopped with sunglasses and headphones, imitating a LeBron James meme.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 25 Jan. 2026
An icon worth imitating, to be sure.
—Literary Hub, 23 Jan. 2026
Trump celebrates our nation’s founding while imitating tyrant King George III, argues columnist Jackie Calmes.
—James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 16 Jan. 2026
So art is indeed imitating art.
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Jan. 2026
Users appeared to be imitating and showing off to one another.
—Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 14 Jan. 2026
Gina Lee Castro, jsonline.com, 19 Feb. 2026
The most graphic pieces incorporate up to 300 different patchwork elements, imitating traditional quilting motifs.
—Alex Wynne, Footwear News, 9 Feb. 2026
Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, previously said in a statement that accounts imitating other people go against their terms of service and are removed when flagged.
—Jessica Sager, PEOPLE, 26 Jan. 2026
Broncos fans have rallied around their backup quarterback, with thousands of fans changing their social media avatars to a picture of Stidham’s face, photoshopped with sunglasses and headphones, imitating a LeBron James meme.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 25 Jan. 2026
An icon worth imitating, to be sure.
—Literary Hub, 23 Jan. 2026
Trump celebrates our nation’s founding while imitating tyrant King George III, argues columnist Jackie Calmes.
—James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 16 Jan. 2026
So art is indeed imitating art.
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Jan. 2026
Users appeared to be imitating and showing off to one another.
—Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 14 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for imitating
Verb
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That model was unlike anything else on the market at the time, with separate amplifier circuits for cleaner separation in each channel, and a vacuum tube preamp stage for analog smoothness and warmth – sort of emulating an audiophile's full system setup.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
17 Feb. 2026
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The show was so big that ABC soon began emulating the Roman numeral naming convention of the Super Bowl, and by the time the concept had run its course, the Battle franchise closed out in 1988 just shy of the XX mark.—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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In response, track athlete Alysia Montaño crafted a video in conjunction with the New York Times, parodying Nike’s sponsor’s ad.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
7 Feb. 2026
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These are the exact type of tried-and-true New Yorkers and New York hip-hop heads the Bodega Boys blew up by parodying with their frequently unhinged back-and-forth.—
Alphonse Pierre,
Pitchfork,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The human brain doesn’t achieve intelligence by copying one type of neuron billions of times, but by combining many different specialized cell types and circuits that work together.—
Jeremy Kahn,
Fortune,
26 Feb. 2026
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Trader Joe’s is also facing a legal challenge from Smucker, which has filed a lawsuit accusing it of copying its trademark crustless peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, The Times reported last year.—
Iris Kwok,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Shortly after trumpeter Ethan Marks took to the sidewalk, one of the American Hotel’s current residents leaned out his window and began vocally and jovially mimicking the fragmented and angular notes coming from the instrument.—
Todd Martens,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Mar. 2026
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The radiant tint adds just a touch of glow to the skin—mimicking a post-facial radiance—that doesn’t look glittery or emphasize texture.—
Kaitlin Clapinski,
InStyle,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Nor was the fact that much of our president’s career has been spent mocking, belittling, and degrading women.—
Brittany Pettersen,
Denver Post,
27 Feb. 2026
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Does protecting safety, fairness and dignity in women’s sports include mocking them from the highest office in the land?—
Heidi Stevens,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Dust mites thrive above 60 percent humidity, reproducing quickly and increasing allergen levels.—
Larry Magid,
Mercury News,
26 Feb. 2026
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Forget about fashionable foodie trends, the cuisine here remains a faithful homage to the master, perfectly reproducing his signature dishes like plump pike quenelle dumplings in a rich creamy Nantua sauce, succulent beef Rossini topped with foie gras or a tasty black truffle soup.—
John Brunton,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Instead, members devoted every waking breath to restoring Sharia and, by doing so, heralding a new era of blind and impartial justice.—
Anand Gopal,
New Yorker,
28 Feb. 2026
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Eventually, someone or some nation will aggressively stand up to this bully, and the consequences of doing so could be significant for the entire world.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Mesa College has gotten permission to offer a bachelor’s degree program for prospective physical therapy assistants despite opposition from California State University San Bernardino, which claimed that the San Diego community college was replicating one of its courses.—
Gary Robbins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
21 Feb. 2026
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For younger cast members who underwent extensive physical training, Yuen emphasizes the importance of finding individual voices within the genre rather than simply replicating what has come before.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
19 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Imitating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imitating. Accessed 5 Mar. 2026.
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