1
as in follower
a person who adopts the appearance or behavior of another especially in an obvious way
an Elvis imitator in a sequinned jumpsuit
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in performer
a person who imitates another's voice and mannerisms for comic effect
that comedian is a hilarious imitator of a surprising array of current celebrities
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 imitator
One of the more direct imitators of the SpaceX model is Blue Origin.
—
David Szondy
may 31, New Atlas, 31 May 2026
Three Things That Define the Category Understanding what distinguishes a genuine moonshot company matters more now that the category has attracted imitators — organizations that have adopted the language of transformation without the underlying architecture.
—Ethan Stone, USA Today, 29 May 2026
Most of the Steam Deck imitators on the market right now use AMD silicon, specifically the Ryzen Z-series chips.
—Andrew Cunningham, ArsTechnica, 28 May 2026
My Year of Rest and Relaxation and its many imitators treat the instability and anhedonia of women as a source of self-deprecating comedy and little else.
—Literary Hub, 28 May 2026
And these are now increasingly fragile as a result of global unrest, climate change and a host of imitators.
—Rebekah Evans, TheWeek, 19 May 2026
The dish everyone comes for is the spicy rigatoni vodka, a plate that’s launched a thousand imitators across the country.
—Lauren Schuster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 May 2026
By early 1985, IBM—the computing giant that dominated corporate America—and its imitators had captured nearly half the personal computer market, up from about a third just months earlier.
—Geoffrey Cain, Vanity Fair, 11 May 2026
Well, actually the worst thing would be to have a — a really good imitator of any president that came along.
—Alex Crippen, CNBC, 9 May 2026
David Szondy
may 31, New Atlas, 31 May 2026
Three Things That Define the Category Understanding what distinguishes a genuine moonshot company matters more now that the category has attracted imitators — organizations that have adopted the language of transformation without the underlying architecture.
—Ethan Stone, USA Today, 29 May 2026
Most of the Steam Deck imitators on the market right now use AMD silicon, specifically the Ryzen Z-series chips.
—Andrew Cunningham, ArsTechnica, 28 May 2026
My Year of Rest and Relaxation and its many imitators treat the instability and anhedonia of women as a source of self-deprecating comedy and little else.
—Literary Hub, 28 May 2026
And these are now increasingly fragile as a result of global unrest, climate change and a host of imitators.
—Rebekah Evans, TheWeek, 19 May 2026
The dish everyone comes for is the spicy rigatoni vodka, a plate that’s launched a thousand imitators across the country.
—Lauren Schuster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 May 2026
By early 1985, IBM—the computing giant that dominated corporate America—and its imitators had captured nearly half the personal computer market, up from about a third just months earlier.
—Geoffrey Cain, Vanity Fair, 11 May 2026
Well, actually the worst thing would be to have a — a really good imitator of any president that came along.
—Alex Crippen, CNBC, 9 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for imitator
Noun
-
Llontop, who grew up watching the World Cup, arrived at the pick-up match with her two children — and even documented her journey getting there on TikTok to her more than 50,000 followers.—
Andrea Flores,
Los Angeles Times,
8 June 2026
-
Hogan demanded his followers to train, say their prayers and eat their vitamins.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
8 June 2026
Noun
-
Kinski played Mignon, a mute acrobat and street performer, in the film.—
Emily St. Martin,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
-
Microdrama performer Sam Myerson will narrate the series.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
4 June 2026
Noun
-
Loud crowds, bad lighting, wind noise, echo-heavy rooms or chaotic backstage areas can make content feel unprofessional no matter how good the conversation itself is.—
King Holder,
Rolling Stone,
4 June 2026
-
The Sweet Spot Between Design and Fragrances Olfactory Signals’ echo is resonating further afield among design-native brands.—
Sofia Celeste,
Footwear News,
4 June 2026
Noun
-
Lithogow is among a cadre of accomplished film and television actors who have a deep love of the stage.—
Jessica Gelt,
Los Angeles Times,
8 June 2026
-
Pino is an actor and director who has worked across TV, film, and theater, and has helped break the glass ceiling for Latin American actors of a generation.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
8 June 2026
Noun
-
The black and white photographs work especially well hung just a wall away from the Impressionists, many of who also work in black and white and concentrate on the slightest shadows.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
24 May 2026
-
My first visit was in 1995 for a retrospective of 19th century Impressionist painter Gustave Caillebotte.—
David Allen,
Daily News,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
And who doesn't love Gritty, the official mascot of the Philadelphia Flyers and unlikely hero of the city, or an Elvis impersonator in Las Vegas, that most unapologetically American destination of them all?—
Arati Menon,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 June 2026
-
The event aims to set a Guinness World Record for the largest number of Monroe impersonators, with organizers hoping to attract 500 volunteers.—
Staff Photographer,
Los Angeles Times,
31 May 2026
Noun
-
Even at the height of his fame, there were dubious aspects of his personal life — often self-seeded to sustain his enigma — that poked hellified holes in his impermeability as an entertainer.—
Rodney Carmichael,
NPR,
3 June 2026
-
For a photo-worthy moment, a tour bus inspired by the very one Dolly has traveled in for years will also be on site for guests to learn about her life on the road as an entertainer.—
Carly Caramanna,
Travel + Leisure,
3 June 2026
Noun
-
When a mimic relies on a single model, predators may, over time, test the signal.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The sounds green noise mimics do have some research behind them, though.—
Allison Palmer,
Kansas City Star,
7 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Imitator.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imitator. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
