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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of imitating
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
So maybe that was art imitating life.
—Rachel Handler, Vulture, 18 May 2026
Another potential treatment route the study opens up is using machines to massage cancer cells, imitating the rhythmic beating of the heart.
—Anil Oza, STAT, 23 Apr. 2026
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
So maybe that was art imitating life.
—Rachel Handler, Vulture, 18 May 2026
Another potential treatment route the study opens up is using machines to massage cancer cells, imitating the rhythmic beating of the heart.
—Anil Oza, STAT, 23 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for imitating
Verb
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That’s not a year fans should want any part of emulating.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
31 May 2026
-
Rivals Crystal Palace became the third Premier League club in four years to lift the trophy with Wednesday’s 1-0 win in the final against Spanish side Rayo Vallecano in Leipzig, emulating West Ham (2023) and Chelsea (2025).—
Andy Naylor,
New York Times,
29 May 2026
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.—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
10 June 2026
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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.—
Ile-Ife Okantah,
Vulture,
7 May 2026
Verb
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However, improving that experience isn’t as simple as adding new features, updating a design or copying what competitors are doing.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
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Alejo switches back to speakerphone and stays silent, copying the numbers Elizabeth is asking for from Flores’ enrollment paperwork in big block letters so Flores can read them aloud.—
Megan Greenwell,
Bloomberg,
9 June 2026
Verb
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Researchers in Australia have developed a neuromorphic vision chip that can see, process, and store visual information in a single device, mimicking how the human eye and brain work together.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
15 June 2026
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Trump regularly regales audiences with his prowess as a dealmaker by recounting conversations he's had with Macron about trade irritants, mimicking Macron's responses in an exaggerated accent.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 June 2026
Verb
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The intended insult was Dorit’s payback after Sutton spent the season mocking her costar’s wallet size.—
Wendy Bowman,
Robb Report,
12 June 2026
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Trump has become obsessed with seeking vengeance against his political foes and has abandoned his promise to bring prices down, even mocking the nation’s affordability crisis.—
Jonathan Lemire,
The Atlantic,
12 June 2026
Verb
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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.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
11 June 2026
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While the sterile insect release method relies primarily on sterile males reproducing with wild females, sterile male and female flies are often released at once for practical reasons.—
Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez,
Fortune,
10 June 2026
Verb
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New York survived the scramble by controlling the glass and doing just enough at the free-throw line.—
Dan Zaksheske,
FOXNews.com,
14 June 2026
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Several have interest in doing so now.—
Allen Best,
Denver Post,
14 June 2026
Verb
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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.—
Wayne Chang,
CNN Money,
17 June 2026
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Saudi Arabia caused one of the great World Cup upsets in Qatar by beating Argentina, so their capacity for disruption exists, though replicating that against a Spain side of this caliber would be something different entirely.—
Sam Leveridge,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Imitating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imitating. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
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