Definition of impersonatenext
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

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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 Cliff Steinhauer, director of information security and engagement at the National Cybersecurity Alliance, warns that someone impersonating a school district, for example, could send a malicious message prompting users to reset their Canvas password. ABC News, 8 May 2026 So don't go off topic, don't impersonate anyone, and don't get your facts wrong. Matthew Carey, Deadline, 6 May 2026 According to police records, Torres-García died months before DCF was successfully tricked by her mother into doing a video call with a woman who has said she was asked to impersonate the child. Laura Tillman, Hartford Courant, 2 May 2026 Criminals can use that information to impersonate companies, reset accounts or trick victims into handing over more sensitive details. Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 1 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for impersonate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impersonate
Verb
  • Researchers will wear sensors while carrying out laboratory tasks, allowing the system to capture movements, workflows, and decision-making patterns that robots can later imitate.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 18 May 2026
  • What makes the campaign especially convincing is that each stage imitates familiar Apple, Google or Microsoft software behavior many Mac users already trust and routinely encounter.
    Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026
Verb
  • As the normies, Teller and his naive wife, portrayed by Scarlett Johansson, feel like kids playing dress-up.
    Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 19 May 2026
  • That means seducing Paris Carver, Elliot's wife and Bond's ex, portrayed by Teri Hatcher.
    John Russell, PEOPLE, 19 May 2026
Verb
  • Huxley might easily have written a simpler novel glorifying intellectuals while mocking Stoyte’s greed and indifference to suffering.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 May 2026
  • The reflections and depth of artistry were mocked.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026
Verb
  • After Tuesday’s game at Miami, the Braves have two more divisional games with the Marlins yet to play, followed by a home series against a hot-hitting Washington Nationals team (also within the division) this weekend.
    Ken Sugiura, AJC.com, 20 May 2026
  • Charles Melton plays an American GI named Private K who’s trying to locate his daughter and keeps getting into bloody altercations.
    Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 20 May 2026
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
  • Catalina suffers from an unspecified mental disability, which Saavedra, who is not handicapped, performs in an arguably inappropriate register of fidgety hands and shifty-eyed glances.
    Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 16 May 2026
  • Fighters — draped in elaborate costumes and protective charms believed to ward off injury and channel spiritual power — perform to the beat of sabar drums, emphasizing the sport’s spiritual side, which for many is as important as the fight itself.
    ABC News, ABC News, 16 May 2026
Verb
  • What is depicted in these pages is beyond human comprehension.
    Bobby Zirkin, Baltimore Sun, 14 May 2026
  • The Goya frescoes depicting the miracle of Saint Anthony of Padua, painted in 1789, are a prime example of the artist’s revolutionary style.
    Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 14 May 2026
Verb
  • The committee also has a legal adviser, a civil servant who, while reporting to the chair, may serve indefinitely, interpreting election law, representing the committee in court, certifying candidates' qualifications, and insuring a fair count at polling places.
    Bernard Avishai, New Yorker, 18 May 2026
  • According to this source, Wicker’s letter was interpreted as favorable toward Rocket Lab’s position in the competition.
    Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 18 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Impersonate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impersonate. Accessed 23 May. 2026.

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