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

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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 Steven Kramer, who paid a New Orleans magician $150 to create a get-out-the-vote robocall mimicking former President Joe Biden, was acquitted in New Hampshire of voter suppression and impersonating a candidate. Arkansas Online, 15 June 2025 Authorities said a gunman impersonating a police officer killed a high-ranking state representative and her husband in their home, and also targeted a state senator and his wife. J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 15 June 2025 Using tools like deepfakes, cybercriminals can impersonate high-ranking executives with alarming precision, manipulating trust to override judgment. Shai Gabay, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025 The White House has launched an investigation into attempts to impersonate President Donald Trump's chief of staff Susie Wiles. Jordan King shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for impersonate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impersonate
Verb
  • Fortunately, Lehane is a great enough crime author to be able to imitate a terrible one(*), and being more overt about that helps to better establish who Dave is.
    Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 17 June 2025
  • In a clever flex of corporate synergy, Apple promoted its first summer blockbuster with the release of a haptic trailer that imitates the purr of an F1 engine in the palms of your hands.
    David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 17 June 2025
Verb
  • There had been speculative casting information about a new Season 3 series regular role of a sea captain in his 20s that could be who Richardson will portray.
    Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 12 June 2025
  • McDaniel and Schefter have portrayed Smith’s situation somewhat differently, subtly so, over the past two weeks.
    Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 12 June 2025
Verb
  • Some right wingers will watch to mock the protesters or watch for signs of violence.
    Chris Morris, Fortune, 14 June 2025
  • Trace also mocked his father’s signature long hairstyle.
    Charna Flam, People.com, 11 June 2025
Verb
  • The Liberty were overpowered by a refreshed Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever squad while playing shorthanded without Jonquel Jones.
    Devin Robertson, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 June 2025
  • There was a time when everyone at a crypto event saw themselves as an outsider, and the VC industry viewed crypto venture capitalists as a different breed playing a different game.
    Ani Freedman, Fortune, 20 June 2025
Verb
  • Or, indeed, of the lyrics of the song performed by — checks notes — Vikina and Richaelio.
    Felipe Cardenas, New York Times, 15 June 2025
  • Standing on one leg and holding for 20 seconds is an example of a balance exercise that anyone can perform.
    Matt Parrott, Arkansas Online, 15 June 2025
Verb
  • Authorities also acknowledged a fake TikTok video circulating online depicting Sheriff Mike Morrison announcing Decker had been taken into custody following a long standoff.
    Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 18 June 2025
  • Named in homage to Van Gogh’s Chair, an 1888 painting by the Dutch master depicting a simple chair, Bolla’s work is hollow, its parts secured to one another with foil.
    News Desk, Artforum, 18 June 2025
Verb
  • That concept of reframing the story has been at the center of Shawn’s work, which focuses on how to train the brain to interpret challenges as temporary, local, and controllable.
    Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes.com, 14 June 2025
  • The law looks at whether a reasonable person would interpret your words as a serious threat, not just exaggerated rhetoric.
    Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 June 2025
Verb
  • Nothing complicated, but something the whole family can do together.
    Hannah Nwoko, Parents, 16 June 2025
  • Lando Norris could do no better than seventh in qualifying, compared to third on the grid for his teammate Oscar Piastri.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 16 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Impersonate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impersonate. Accessed 24 Jun. 2025.

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