imitator

Definition of imitatornext
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 Boards can adopt it, investors can ask for it, cities can condition incentives on it, and the companies with the best results have the most to gain from standards, because standards are how leaders get distinguished from imitators. Tonya M. Evans, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026 That's the real test that will ultimately determine whether the Denza Z is a genuine rival or simply another very fast imitator. New Atlas, 25 July 2026 But the arrival of Buc-ee's supercharged the trend and spawned imitators like Wally's, which has three 50,000-square-foot locations in the Midwest, with plans for more. Kevin Williams, CNBC, 2 July 2026 Steven Spielberg's dino masterpiece — which has spawned six sequels and countless imitators — ushered in a new wave of CGI filmmaking and became an instant sensation beyond what original author Michael Crichton could ever have envisioned. Huntley Woods, Entertainment Weekly, 11 June 2026 Their clothes inspired imitators. Simon Perry, PEOPLE, 9 June 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for imitator
Noun
  • Ben Crump, one of the nation’s most prominent civil rights attorneys, also shared two posts with his 1 million followers about the circumstances surrounding Juliana’s death.
    Caitlin McGlade, Charlotte Observer, 31 July 2026
  • In The Bacchae, Dionysus becomes violent only because his existence has been denied and his followers persecuted, and his maenads similarly become destructive only when pursued.
    Angelica Frey, JSTOR Daily, 31 July 2026
Noun
  • Several years ago, performer and playwright Ty Autry had the idea of bringing together an Atlanta performing arts festival for the LGBTQ community.
    Jim Farmer, AJC.com, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Lorde was feeling herself, physically and metaphorically, and the voyeuristic vibes of her set freed both performer and audience alike on Day One of Lollapalooza 2026.
    Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone, 3 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • The Canadian producer/musician creates songs that feel like they’re haunted by their own ghosts, laced with intertwining echoes, tiny sonic fractures, and a palpable sense of place.
    Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 2 Aug. 2026
  • My research shows that the Hamburg massacre was not just characteristic of a broader violent moment, but also that the echoes of such violence ring loudly today.
    Jacob Ware, The Conversation, 31 July 2026
Noun
  • And she’d been turned off by the idea of using actors when only older men responded to her online casting calls that explained the activities of the day.
    Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 22 July 2026
  • The stage will combine an LED volume wall, advanced camera tracking and real-time 3D engines to blend physical sets and actors with digital environments.
    Savannah Sicurella, AJC.com, 22 July 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
  • The ceremony ultimately went ahead with an Elvis impersonator officiating as Kacie wore a white dress and white cowboy hat.
    Deirdre Durkan, PEOPLE, 4 Aug. 2026
  • These impersonators and scammers tie into a broader issue regarding how AI-generation tools are being used to enable cybercriminals.
    Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 3 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Petal vents about the plight of the mass entertainer who is forever observed and critiqued.
    Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 3 Aug. 2026
  • To the world, McRae is a strong, fearless entertainer, a triple threat who can pen songs that recall the fizzy pop of the early aughts and bring them to life as a ferocious singer and dancer.
    Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 3 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • The latter line, in its phrasing and melody and even the musical tone of its words, is an almost perfect mimic of Santa Claus asking Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer to guide his sleigh.
    Sadie Sartini Garner, Pitchfork, 14 July 2026
  • In design reviews, require product owners to specify which consumer or internal patterns the new workflow mimics; adjust UI labels and steps to match those mental models.
    Guy Yehiav, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Imitator.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imitator. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on imitator

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!