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

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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

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 impersonate Dark Star’s Repsch only learned that Santor had impersonated him and his company when THR contacted him. Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2025 These texts generally try to impersonate the toll service in your state. Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025 Roughly $460,000 is returning to city coffers after officials became aware in July someone was impersonating Scherrer Construction, a company involved in the $38 million revamp of the public library on North King Drive. David Clarey, jsonline.com, 3 Sep. 2025 This is especially helpful for grandparents, who are vulnerable to phone scams and other types of fraud, where someone may impersonate close family members. ​wendy Wisner, Parents, 1 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for impersonate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impersonate
Verb
  • Advanced adversaries are now using generative AI to construct deepfake biometrics, complete PII profiles with believable digital histories and even replicate consistent interaction patterns that imitate human behavior.
    Rohan Pinto, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
  • In the image, the president is also backdropped by a city beach covered with fire and smoke, seemingly imitating an active war zone.
    Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Folklore portrays them as menacing figures lurking in the darkness who can possess those who wander too far from home.
    Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Chastain portrayed Celia Foote in the drama based on Kathryn Stockett's novel of the same name about a white journalist chronicling the lives of Black maids working for white households in 1960s Mississippi.
    Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • While the performative male has been mocked online for appearing inauthentic, Rosen and Park see it as a net positive that men are making an effort to develop genuine taste and veer away from leather recliners with cup holders and T-shirts as pillowcases.
    Viv Chen, Architectural Digest, 9 Sep. 2025
  • His friend Daniel Georges, humorously and wisely played by arthouse favorite Isaach De Bankolé, is a priest who tries to get him on the right track, even sending him articles from the Catholic Worker, only for Robbie to mock him by knocking on the table and asking if God’s inside the linoleum.
    Grace Byron, Vulture, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Still, that isn’t a factor when considering how hard and inspired the Broncos played in front of a ninth straight sellout crowd at Albertsons Stadium.
    Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 6 Sep. 2025
  • Though his interests were that of a pretty typical child — computing and gaming, playing the saxophone, enjoying soccer and time with his pets — he was also known for his acts of kindness and generosity.
    Lauren Costantino September 6, Miami Herald, 6 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Till’s motifs swept though the ensemble, as horns, clarinets, bassoons, violin all had a chance to personate the character.
    BY LIBBY HANSSEN, kansascity.com, 3 June 2017
Verb
  • During the annual Rhythm & Roots Reunion festival, Shanghai is the first to set up a stage for performing bands.
    Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Around the same time, police reported Tammy's death as suspicious and performed an autopsy, with her cause of death being declared asphyxiation.
    Jessica Sager, PEOPLE, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • At certain angles, the photo’s dark backdrop allows viewers to see the reflection of former President Barack Obama’s portrait that depicts him surrounded by greenery and flowers representing Chicago and Hawaii.
    BrieAnna J. Frank, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025
  • The new album follows the same surprise announcement and quick-drop model as its predecessor, via an Instagram post (although the first one was preceded by billboards in Iceland, Atlanta and Los Angeles depicting an image of Bieber accompanied by the title).
    Jem Aswad, Variety, 4 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Implement explainability tools that surface the logic behind AI decisions, establish clear accountability frameworks and train leadership on how to interpret AI behavior.
    Christer Holloman, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Without critical thinking, learners struggle to interpret information, resist misleading narratives, or build the confidence needed to succeed on tests, in careers, and in civic life.
    Sixteen Ramos, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Impersonate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impersonate. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.

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