as in reproduction
something that is made to look exactly like something else
challenged me to tell the real roses from the silk imitations
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in faux
being such in appearance only and made with or manufactured from usually cheaper materials
the stage production uses only imitation diamonds, as real gems would be prohibitively expensive
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 imitation
Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2025
These ivory pieces, showing signs of intentional modification, may represent the earliest evidence of deliberate ivory processing, possibly crafted by children as imitations of tools.
—Stories By Real-Time News Team, With Ai Summarization, Miami Herald, 18 Apr. 2025
People can learn what's acceptable and what's not through observation and imitation, and talking about other people's experiences can act as a warning sign for ourselves.
—David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Apr. 2025
From there, the fledgling company’s legend exploded, sparking rapid business expansion before an inevitable spree of ripoffs and imitations emerged to challenge the nascent venture.
—Michael Teo Van Runkle, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for imitation
Noun
In 2023, a study published in the Journal of Experimental Child Psychology concluded that children often use imitation to not only learn from others but affiliate socially with them.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2025
These ivory pieces, showing signs of intentional modification, may represent the earliest evidence of deliberate ivory processing, possibly crafted by children as imitations of tools.
—Stories By Real-Time News Team, With Ai Summarization, Miami Herald, 18 Apr. 2025
People can learn what's acceptable and what's not through observation and imitation, and talking about other people's experiences can act as a warning sign for ourselves.
—David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Apr. 2025
From there, the fledgling company’s legend exploded, sparking rapid business expansion before an inevitable spree of ripoffs and imitations emerged to challenge the nascent venture.
—Michael Teo Van Runkle, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for imitation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for imitation
Noun
-
Hess’s book arrives at a historical moment—post-Dobbs, pro-natalist, techno-dystopian—in which both pregnant bodies and the stuff of reproduction itself have come under an extraordinary degree of scrutiny, judgment, and control.—
Jessica Winter,
New Yorker,
21 Apr. 2025
-
Fruit fly reproduction Fruit fly reproduction can happen quickly.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Push your chairs and couches together to create a faux sectional look.—
Claire Hoppe Norgaard,
Better Homes & Gardens,
28 Apr. 2025
-
And while both traditional and faux leather-making processes involve chemicals, PVC can release pollutants and toxic chemicals.—
Gia Yetikyel,
Vogue,
26 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
There was a grocery list, spice cans, copies of L.A. newspapers.—
Carolyn Kellogg,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Apr. 2025
-
Oblivion is estimated to have sold over nine million copies in the first nine years of its release.—
Carlie Procell,
USA Today,
23 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The organic cotton is pesticide-free as Boll & Branch uses marigolds on their farms in place of synthetic alternatives, and the farming methods use less water.—
Yelena Moroz Alpert,
Architectural Digest,
30 Apr. 2025
-
Companies like Upside Foods have developed synthetic meat that can be made in the same city rather than shipped halfway across the world.—
Dev Patnaik,
Forbes.com,
29 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
And behind the scenes, Ocado uses digital twin technology, essentially a virtual replica of the warehouse, to simulate and optimize everything from customer demand to delivery routes.—
Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report,
FOXNews.com,
20 Apr. 2025
-
Aaron Paul gives a compelling double performance as both the astronaut Cliff and a robot replica of Cliff temporarily controlled by fellow astronaut David (Josh Hartnett).—
Christian Holub,
EW.com,
18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The wonderfully unexpected opening sequence takes us inside a cockpit where the co-pilot’s warnings of discrepancies in the plane’s navigation system go unheeded by the captain, who steers them into a simulated fiery crash.—
Scott Tobias,
Vulture,
21 Apr. 2025
-
When the simulated flight crashes, the screen turns into a wall of fire, and there’s Nathan.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
15 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
With digital platforms flooded with bots and fake numbers, Kerns built his following and client base by offering true engagement, authority, and working systems.—
Rhiannon Frater,
USA Today,
1 May 2025
-
Swatting is when a 911 call is made, usually to report a fake violent crime, to get police and sometimes even SWAT teams, to respond to the address given by the caller.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
From factory employees in China stringing lights on artificial trees to dock workers unloading containers of toys, this vast labor force ensures Americans can choose from a wide selection of decorations and gifts each December.—
Zeyi Yang,
Wired News,
28 Apr. 2025
-
The Real Cost of Making Things Hard When companies add artificial friction, they: CEO: C-suite news, analysis, and advice for top decision makers right to your inbox.—
Roger Dooley,
Forbes.com,
26 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Imitation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imitation. Accessed 5 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share