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
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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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Recent Examples of imitator
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
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
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for imitator
Noun
-
Japanese followers were expected to contribute more than others.—
E. Tammy Kim,
New Yorker,
26 Jan. 2026
-
In an Instagram story on Monday, Katy Perry asked her followers to call their senators to ask them to block the appropriations bill that includes funding for DHS.—
Zachary Folk,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Authorities called for additional measures to prevent overlap between performer and audience exit times and to minimize traffic disruption in the surrounding area.—
Hannah Abraham,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
-
The 30-year-old from Venezuela pitched out of the bullpen early on but has been a steady performer and mostly a reliable winner since moving into the rotation exclusively in 2022.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
21 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The marketing and positioning of actresses in their roles is tougher than it’s been in recent years because of the insult machinery of man-boy social media and its echoes across society more widely.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
22 Jan. 2026
-
As Noo, Arati and Hannah discovered on their journeys, true immersion in nature—from the echo of hyenas at dusk to the brilliance of Tanzania’s starlit skies—opens a window to something far deeper than adventure.—
Condé Nast Traveler,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Violent confrontations targeting Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in Minnesota are being driven by outside actors exploiting chaos, not organic protest, according to a protest insider warning that the situation is rapidly spiraling.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
The event was hosted by actor Steve Guttenberg.—
Michelle Edgar,
Daily News,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Very funny, talented… an excellent impressionist.—
Andy Hoglund,
Entertainment Weekly,
21 Dec. 2025
-
The funniest part about that is Lisa Ann Walter is actually a really exceptional impressionist.—
Vlada Gelman,
TVLine,
16 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The movie sees Jackman portraying a Diamond impersonator, and the rocker’s smashes are featured throughout Song Sung Blue.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
21 Jan. 2026
-
Few people would consider a career as a regional, impersonator-style vocalist to be worthwhile; even fewer would, having attained such a career, try to make themselves into something more than a novelty act.—
Peter Tonguette,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
After all Ackmann’s research and many interviews, what one quality defined the entertainer?—
Nathan Smith,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Jan. 2026
-
President Abraham Lincoln wore cravats, as did Hollywood actor Cary Grant and the extravagant entertainer Liberace.—
Kristina Kukolja,
NPR,
21 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Some of the hormone mimics, such as for amylin, might also work alone.—
Sarah Zhang,
The Atlantic,
28 Nov. 2025
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White felt along the bottom mimics snow, the whole setup bringing cozy holiday vibes to every meal.—
Lennie Omalza,
Louisville Courier Journal,
13 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Imitator.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imitator. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.
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