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
Though Cox has a small role and Panettiere returns, the lack of legacy characters makes this feel like a cheap imitator at times.
—
Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Mar. 2026
For decades, Gallup’s company and its imitators improved their techniques.
—David Frum, The Atlantic, 21 Feb. 2026
Along the way, the festival has outlasted many imitators and weathered shifting food trends by staying nimble.
—Peter Burke, FOXNews.com, 21 Feb. 2026
The imitators are increasingly convincing, especially as AI image and video generators get better by the day.
—John Whyte, STAT, 17 Feb. 2026
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
Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Mar. 2026
For decades, Gallup’s company and its imitators improved their techniques.
—David Frum, The Atlantic, 21 Feb. 2026
Along the way, the festival has outlasted many imitators and weathered shifting food trends by staying nimble.
—Peter Burke, FOXNews.com, 21 Feb. 2026
The imitators are increasingly convincing, especially as AI image and video generators get better by the day.
—John Whyte, STAT, 17 Feb. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for imitator
Noun
-
She was regarded as the female Christ by her followers but accused of witchcraft by outsiders.—
Saman Shafiq,
USA Today,
9 Mar. 2026
-
The age-old practice of saunas has captured the attention of the wellness zeitgeist, garnering a new generation of followers eager to tap into its benefits.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Lewis is a performer whose career has always carried an edge of theatrical intensity, and placing her inside this particular production marks a fascinating collision of sensibilities.—
Lauren Schuster,
Miami Herald,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Ingrid Andress, Geordie Greep, rising Atlanta pop-punk band the Paradox, and Latin pop performer EMJAY bring the overall headcount to more than 1,000 acts playing seven straight nights across Austin’s clubs and venues.—
Brian Hiatt,
Rolling Stone,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Within this landmark, 225 rooms—including 13 singular train station suites—now serve as a design lover’s sanctuary where the echoes of steam engines meet a contemporary swing.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
5 Mar. 2026
-
The British producer also sees echoes of foundational shows from earlier in his career.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
3 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Clark would be the worst actor in the world.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Former Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy accepted Andor‘s win for best science fiction television series, with Diego Luna wining best actor and Stellan Skarsgard winning best supporting actor.—
Aaron Couch,
HollywoodReporter,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
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
-
The restaurant was once filled with neon lights, roller skating wait staff and a DJ booth complete with Elvis Presley impersonator, Vader said, describing eating there as an iconic Boise experience.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
3 Mar. 2026
-
To be fair, enlisting an impersonator to attend an awards show in their place certainly feels like the kind of high-concept goof someone like Carrey — who doesn’t make a ton of public appearances — might do.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
2 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The great room — with the river as a backdrop — is anchored by a custom entertainer’s bar and built-ins, a cozy gas fireplace and a hydraulic hideaway television.—
David Caraccio
March 7,
Sacbee.com,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Horschel’s abilities as a golfer, entertainer and big personality have served him well, earning him 11 professional wins and more than $40 million in earnings.—
Edgar Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
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
-
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 11 Mar. 2026.
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