1
as in followers
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 performers
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
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Recent Examples of imitators
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 imitators
Noun
-
As her own beliefs begin to take idiosyncratic shape, Lee begins to engage a few followers.—
Mark Olsen,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Her followers got a better look at her spacious kitchen's wooden cabinetry and light fixtures behind them.—
Marina Watts,
PEOPLE,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Alaska, Hawaiian are consistent performers The AQR also singled out Alaska Airlines as the steadiest performer in the industry.—
Christopher Elliott,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
That, too, had echoes of last season, when City, the reigning champions, lost their way completely after a promising start, winning just one match out of 13 in all competitions between late October and late December.—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
8 Nov. 2025
-
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
Noun
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Additionally, the film will finally unite the Avengers with several actors from Fox's X-Men films, which took place in a separate universe that will presumably crash into Disney's MCU.—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 Jan. 2026
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For some modern actors cast in projects set in the past, getting their face to match the era their film or series is set in can take a bit of doing—or un-doing.—
Margaux Anbouba,
Vogue,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Dressed in a black leather outfit complete with strings and all, Brandon Miller chose different attire than the traditional garb typically adorned by other impersonators.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
17 Dec. 2025
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In the good old days, only a few extremely skilled vocal impersonators could fake anyone’s voice enough to fool people familiar with the real thing.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
15 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Imitators.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imitators. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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