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
Relevance
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
Some of the most notable moments show Atlas imitating human emotional reactions.
—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
24 June 2026
To celebrate, Gazza lay down on the grass and opened his mouth wide, imitating the dentist’s chair that had got him and his team-mates into so much bother a few weeks earlier.
—
The Athletic Uk Staff,
New York Times,
18 June 2026
As a 7-year-old, I’d entertain my father’s friends, at their weekly pickup game at a Bronx barn-house gymnasium, by imitating his game face—bottom lip jutting, eyes scowling.
—
Sean Gregory,
Time,
14 June 2026
Carol Channing reduced Shalit to tears of laughter with her tale of a London dinner party with Lady Astor and Sir Benjamin Harrison by imitating the latter.
—
Chris Koseluk,
HollywoodReporter,
12 June 2026
Now, in a case of life imitating art, Cameron himself is being accused of corporate extraction by an Indigenous woman.
—
Petala Ironcloud,
Air Mail,
6 June 2026
In a case of life imitating art, this whodunnit explores the investigation behind her disappearance, strangely resembling one of Christie’s own novels, where everyone in her life becomes a suspect, including her brother, Monty (Trevena).
—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
1 June 2026
Zoe, born seven years later, grew up watching them, imitating them and wanting to be them.
—
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2026
So in that moment, life is imitating art a little bit.
—
Dave Quinn,
PEOPLE,
28 May 2026
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
24 June 2026
To celebrate, Gazza lay down on the grass and opened his mouth wide, imitating the dentist’s chair that had got him and his team-mates into so much bother a few weeks earlier.
—
The Athletic Uk Staff,
New York Times,
18 June 2026
As a 7-year-old, I’d entertain my father’s friends, at their weekly pickup game at a Bronx barn-house gymnasium, by imitating his game face—bottom lip jutting, eyes scowling.
—
Sean Gregory,
Time,
14 June 2026
Carol Channing reduced Shalit to tears of laughter with her tale of a London dinner party with Lady Astor and Sir Benjamin Harrison by imitating the latter.
—
Chris Koseluk,
HollywoodReporter,
12 June 2026
Now, in a case of life imitating art, Cameron himself is being accused of corporate extraction by an Indigenous woman.
—
Petala Ironcloud,
Air Mail,
6 June 2026
In a case of life imitating art, this whodunnit explores the investigation behind her disappearance, strangely resembling one of Christie’s own novels, where everyone in her life becomes a suspect, including her brother, Monty (Trevena).
—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
1 June 2026
Zoe, born seven years later, grew up watching them, imitating them and wanting to be them.
—
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2026
So in that moment, life is imitating art a little bit.
—
Dave Quinn,
PEOPLE,
28 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for imitating
Verb
-
In that sense, Hollywood isn’t becoming Detroit so much as emulating it.
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That’s not a year fans should want any part of emulating.
Verb
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It's been 13 years since the last Scary Movie hit theaters in 2013, and the newest installment reverts to its roots in parodying a variety of movies and television shows.
-
Regardless, everyone approves of Kiana, with Zack good-naturedly parodying her sunglasses and the girls encouraging him to lock it down despite the tumultuous relationships their friend group seems to attract.
Verb
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Determined to be seen as extraordinary, Elizabeth begins copying, stalking and impersonating Laura to try and win a Harvard spot for herself.
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Across two experiments, participants completed deliberately monotonous tasks, including copying or reading telephone numbers, before taking a creative uses test.
Verb
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In January, local media widely reported that police arrested Argentine citizen Agostina Páez in Rio after being filmed mimicking a monkey toward a waiter at a nightclub.
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These four-seaters — mimicking a Dodge Charger, Mazda RX-7, Nissan Skyline GT-R and Toyota Supra — all come complete with working taillights.
Verb
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Supporters jokingly call themselves unemployed and chronically online, while videos and memes mocking unemployment, corruption and political dysfunction have attracted millions of views.
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Reese and the Dream played Indiana on Thursday as well, where Reese was caught mocking Clark by flailing around during the stoppage in play.
Verb
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Rather than reproducing the past, the Recreated Classics programme explores why certain designs continue to resonate across generations.
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What online scammers are looking to steal The FBI issued a warning last month that cybercriminals are manipulating or reproducing the official FIFA World Cup website to scam fans who are looking for tickets, hospitality packages, merchandise, streaming access and betting opportunities.
Verb
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La Roja needs quicker movement of the ball and its players, more adaptation to what the opponent is doing (Saudi Arabia is not going to play free and open after seeing what worked) and to be more ruthless.
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There is a psychological drive to try to get a second chance at doing something that didn't turn out well the first time.
Verb
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Rafael Castro, big, 6-9, George Washington Similar to Nelson above, Castro was a dominant big man in the Atlantic 10, but replicating that success as a 6-9 (in socks) big man at the next level may require a different approach.
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On Monday, 60 Tao people from Taiwan’s Orchid Island set off on a 111-mile voyage, taking turns to paddle against strong currents to reach the Ivatan people on Batan Island, located in the far north of the Philippines, replicating a journey first thought to have been made more than 4,000 years ago.
Cite this Entry
“Imitating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imitating. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.
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