Synonyms of impersonate

impersonate

verb

im-ˈpər-sə-ˌnāt 

1

as in to imitate

to pretend to be (what one is not) in appearance or behavior

a school intruder was caught trying to impersonate a teacher

Synonyms & Similar Words

• imitate
• mock
• play
• portray
• personate
• pose (as)
• masquerade (as)
• act
• mimic
• parody
• copy
• perform
• ape
• mime
• monkey
• travesty

2

as in to portray

to present a portrayal or performance of

interpreters at the living history museum impersonate figures who are known to have actually lived in the colonial town

Synonyms & Similar Words

• portray
• play
• perform
• depict
• interpret
• do
• represent
• act
• render
• enact
• imitate
• dramatize
• mimic
• act out
• masquerade
• playact
• take on
• pose (as)
• ape
• ham
• role-play
• mime
• pantomime
• overact
• underplay
• star (in)
• overplay
• clown
• coact
• costar

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of impersonate

Hey, the boss needs a favor In a November 2025 Reddit post, one person described buying $800 in Target gift cards on their second day at a new job after receiving an email impersonating their boss. — Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2026

Maslow went so far as to impersonate agents and applicants on the phone, according to prosecutors. — CBS News, 7 Oct. 2026

Then another old friend of Mary’s, the shape-shifting warlock William (Devon Sawa), is revealed to have been impersonating a teacher. — Mya Copeland, Variety, 5 Oct. 2026

Colbert gifted Kimmel his Captain America shield, did a sketch-within-an-interview with his son impersonating a Kiwi police officer, and shaved for our amusement. — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026