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
This quickly became the world's best-selling pen and was soon followed by many imitators that sold in the billions.
—
New Atlas, 29 Oct. 2025
These are people who are in the know, many of whom actually thought of him as kind of a loser, as kind of an imitator.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 27 Oct. 2025
McVay’s offense inspired imitators as his assistant coaches spread across the NFL over the next few seasons, and while new defensive schemes famously evolved to counter it, 11 personnel seemed a permanent fixture of a league hell-bent on passing.
—Jourdan Rodrigue, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
The next two years saw the opening of imitators such as Pace, BJ’s, and Sam’s Club.
—Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2025
The oud that launched a thousand imitators, and still outclasses them all.
—Adam Hurly, Robb Report, 16 Oct. 2025
The goofy tree-imitator Pokémon, whose rock typing has come off as a prank since its early second generation introduction, finally fulfills its destiny as a grass type thanks to this new battling phenomenon.
—Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 10 Oct. 2025
In several other 2025 cases, ICE agent imitators have been seeking social media clout or making a political point.
—Allison Gordon, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2025
Kam Patterson, who is arriving from the Austin scene, a thriving-but-controversial branch of the comedy world loosely organized around Joe Rogan and his imitators.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 1 Oct. 2025
New Atlas, 29 Oct. 2025
These are people who are in the know, many of whom actually thought of him as kind of a loser, as kind of an imitator.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 27 Oct. 2025
McVay’s offense inspired imitators as his assistant coaches spread across the NFL over the next few seasons, and while new defensive schemes famously evolved to counter it, 11 personnel seemed a permanent fixture of a league hell-bent on passing.
—Jourdan Rodrigue, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
The next two years saw the opening of imitators such as Pace, BJ’s, and Sam’s Club.
—Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2025
The oud that launched a thousand imitators, and still outclasses them all.
—Adam Hurly, Robb Report, 16 Oct. 2025
The goofy tree-imitator Pokémon, whose rock typing has come off as a prank since its early second generation introduction, finally fulfills its destiny as a grass type thanks to this new battling phenomenon.
—Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 10 Oct. 2025
In several other 2025 cases, ICE agent imitators have been seeking social media clout or making a political point.
—Allison Gordon, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2025
Kam Patterson, who is arriving from the Austin scene, a thriving-but-controversial branch of the comedy world loosely organized around Joe Rogan and his imitators.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 1 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for imitator
Noun
-
Cissé, who was not a member of the military, sometimes posted images of herself in military fatigues to her more than 140,00 TikTok followers, which is thought to have drawn attention from the armed men.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
11 Nov. 2025
-
Since the government shutdown delayed funding for SNAP in November, Curry has been sharing strategies on how to find free or affordable food with his social media followers.—
NPR,
NPR,
11 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
In its final form, the sky-high pad spanned a whopping 13,300 square feet across two levels, with four bedrooms, seven bathrooms, a gym, a massage room, wine storage, and plenty of sprawling gallery walls to display the performer’s art collection.—
Mekita Rivas,
Architectural Digest,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Unlike the Super Bowl 59 performer, however, Thomas is not a household name.—
Bebe Hodges,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Ditto the echoes of The Civil War, also examining a battle that pit brother against brother, and The Vietnam War, in which America became the occupying imperial force failing to understand or successfully combat a domestic insurgence.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Their lead guitarist — a wiry seventeen-year-old named Bruce Springsteen — already had an assistant to hit his echo pedal on cue.—
Henry Selick,
IndieWire,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
There are other Washburn regulars here too, like the excellent actors Bruce McKenzie and Jeff Biehl, but despite all their long acquaintance, something about the project never quite comes into focus.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
10 Nov. 2025
-
People pour in from the dense warrens of India’s financial capital and from dusty villages thousands of kilometers away, all flowing towards the fortified, sea-facing Mumbai home of actor Shah Rukh Khan.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
9 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The funniest part about that is Lisa Ann Walter is actually a really exceptional impressionist.—
Vlada Gelman,
TVLine,
16 Apr. 2025
-
The comedian and impressionist who has done his impressions to the faces of Michael Buble, Jeff Goldblum, Paul Giamatti and more will be at American Comedy Co. 8 p.m. Thursday, 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday.—
San Diego Union-Tribune,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Consumers are encouraged to report Medicare impersonators and other Medicare scams at 800-633-4227.—
Susan Tompor,
Freep.com,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Many impersonators use public details like your hometown, workplace or family connections to build fake profiles that seem trustworthy.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
28 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
In straightforward and compelling prose, Sammy, then 40, tells the story of his vaudeville beginnings, his growth as an entertainer, and his movement through America.—
Questlove,
The Atlantic,
7 Nov. 2025
-
The teaser features the nephew of the late superstar entertainer recreating dance moves on stage or from memorable rock videos.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
This enhancement occurred whether the viral mimic was DNA or RNA, meaning that CSWE activated multiple immune pathways.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
25 Oct. 2025
-
The buttons in the front mimic the look of a quintessential office essential — the button-up shirt — and the length and sleeves provide just the right amount of coverage.—
Alyssa Grabinski,
PEOPLE,
9 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Imitator.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imitator. Accessed 16 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share