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
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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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of imitator
That's the beloved appetizer consisting of six yellow peppers stuffed with shrimp that family matriarch Carmen Murguia brought to California from the border town of Mexicali, creating what may be the area’s most popular Mexican dish and inspiring countless imitators.
—
Usa Today Network, USA Today, 11 Feb. 2026
Michtom didn’t bother to patent his invention; the imitators merely spurred interest.
—Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
The popularity of products like Meta Ray-Bans has opened up a new market of imitators who are in an arms race to make their smart glasses as ethically dubious as possible, perhaps with a little help from AI or facial recognition software.
—Frank Landymore, Futurism, 28 Jan. 2026
Although Rudolph’s concrete architecture was more complex and soulful than that of many of his imitators, that difference was often overlooked.
—Anthony Paletta, Curbed, 13 Jan. 2026
The film introduced new slang into the lexicon, repopularized surf rock, and spawned dozens of fast-talking imitators.
—Katie Rife, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Jan. 2026
The success spurred other companies to open their models and shifted perceptions of China’s AI landscape from imitator to innovator.
—New Atlas, 31 Dec. 2025
Despite many aspirants and imitators, there really hasn’t been anything like it since.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 31 Dec. 2025
As some of his peers embrace generative artificial intelligence with their own likeness, Morgan Freeman is putting his imitators on notice.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 13 Nov. 2025
Usa Today Network, USA Today, 11 Feb. 2026
Michtom didn’t bother to patent his invention; the imitators merely spurred interest.
—Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
The popularity of products like Meta Ray-Bans has opened up a new market of imitators who are in an arms race to make their smart glasses as ethically dubious as possible, perhaps with a little help from AI or facial recognition software.
—Frank Landymore, Futurism, 28 Jan. 2026
Although Rudolph’s concrete architecture was more complex and soulful than that of many of his imitators, that difference was often overlooked.
—Anthony Paletta, Curbed, 13 Jan. 2026
The film introduced new slang into the lexicon, repopularized surf rock, and spawned dozens of fast-talking imitators.
—Katie Rife, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Jan. 2026
The success spurred other companies to open their models and shifted perceptions of China’s AI landscape from imitator to innovator.
—New Atlas, 31 Dec. 2025
Despite many aspirants and imitators, there really hasn’t been anything like it since.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 31 Dec. 2025
As some of his peers embrace generative artificial intelligence with their own likeness, Morgan Freeman is putting his imitators on notice.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 13 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for imitator
Noun
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Named after the 19th-Century Foreign Secretary and Prime Minister Viscount Palmerston, the cat quickly garnered a large online fanbase, boasting nearly 100,000 followers as of Tuesday who closely tracked his adventures across Westminster.—
Lex Harvey,
CNN Money,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Austin was a fearless leader, a gracious man, a devoted father and husband, and a faithful follower of Christ.—
Natalie Neysa Alund,
USA Today,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
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But the controversy surrounding the event with halftime performer Bad Bunny likely stoked additional interest.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Cort, born Walter Edward Cox on March 29, 1948, in New Rochelle, New York, attended NYU Tisch School of the Arts for a brief period and studied acting with Stella Adler before going professional as a performer.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
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That quotation alludes to the many Proustian echoes in Bowen’s story set in an aristocratic Big House during the 1919-21 War of Independence.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 Feb. 2026
-
This hiring cycle became a monochrome echo of decades past.—
Jerry Brewer,
New York Times,
2 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Academy Award-winning actor Robert Duvall died on Feburary 15, at the age of 95.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
16 Feb. 2026
-
The footage included photos from his childhood and ended with a clip of the actor taking a bite out of a massive cookie.—
KiMi Robinson,
USA Today,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Mimics tells the story of Sam, a struggling impressionist who makes a pact with a wicked puppet.—
Rebecca Angel Baer,
Southern Living,
7 Feb. 2026
-
The actor and impressionist, who has been with the show since 1989, has no idea what happens after that.—
Ralphie Aversa,
USA Today,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Sometimes wrestlers have even portrayed real political figures, as when impersonators of then-Senators Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton squared off during the 2008 presidential campaign.—
Michael Ballaban,
CNN Money,
14 Feb. 2026
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There are biblical storms, creepy family members, Dolly Parton impersonators, a motel clerk named Norman, a hearty side plot involving a suffragist hit squad, and multiple houses on fire.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
12 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The 54-year-old entertainer made such an impression on viewers during his on-air stint at the 2024 Summer Olympics that NBC execs had already begun plotting to bring him back for the Milan Games well before the torch was extinguished in Paris.—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
13 Feb. 2026
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Anette Arinix Amazing Aga Aga is a Samoan-Pasifika producer, writer, entertainer, and creative director from Hawaiʻi whose work sits at the intersection of storytelling, comedy, and community impact.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Her jokester father worked for a railway; her realtor mother was a gifted mimic whose impressions of clients enlivened family dinners.—
The Week US,
TheWeek,
10 Feb. 2026
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Some of the hormone mimics, such as for amylin, might also work alone.—
Sarah Zhang,
The Atlantic,
28 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Imitator.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imitator. Accessed 18 Feb. 2026.
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