1
as in mocks
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 plays
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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Recent Examples of impersonates
When an escaped Eleven finds her way to a diner (the image of a bald Brown in a hospital gown shoving fries into her mouth is indelible), Brenner’s team impersonates social services, kills the kind proprietor, but fails to apprehend her.
—
Judy Berman, Time, 26 Dec. 2025
The scam impersonates Walmart and claims someone has made an expensive PS5 order through the user’s account.
—PC Magazine, 2 Dec. 2025
If targets dispute the claims, they are transferred to another caller, who impersonates Chinese law enforcement.
—Sam Stevenson, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Nov. 2025
Best Contemporary Piece Sleek and minimalist, this handsome glass model from West Elm impersonates a crystal menorah (without the price point) and allows your candlesticks to do the talking.
—Rachel Fletcher, Architectural Digest, 11 Nov. 2025
Friedland then impersonates his grandmother’s South African accent, to Kind’s delight.
—Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2025
Brit star David Mitchell picked up a best actor nomination for his turn as a socially awkward puzzle-maker who impersonates his missing detective twin brother, in BBC hit Ludwig, with the show also scoring a best comedy nom.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 25 Sep. 2025
An evil twin hotspot is a wireless network that impersonates a legitimate one by copying its name, also known as the SSID.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 22 Sep. 2025
Judy Berman, Time, 26 Dec. 2025
The scam impersonates Walmart and claims someone has made an expensive PS5 order through the user’s account.
—PC Magazine, 2 Dec. 2025
If targets dispute the claims, they are transferred to another caller, who impersonates Chinese law enforcement.
—Sam Stevenson, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Nov. 2025
Best Contemporary Piece Sleek and minimalist, this handsome glass model from West Elm impersonates a crystal menorah (without the price point) and allows your candlesticks to do the talking.
—Rachel Fletcher, Architectural Digest, 11 Nov. 2025
Friedland then impersonates his grandmother’s South African accent, to Kind’s delight.
—Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2025
Brit star David Mitchell picked up a best actor nomination for his turn as a socially awkward puzzle-maker who impersonates his missing detective twin brother, in BBC hit Ludwig, with the show also scoring a best comedy nom.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 25 Sep. 2025
An evil twin hotspot is a wireless network that impersonates a legitimate one by copying its name, also known as the SSID.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 22 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impersonates
Verb
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The worst thing Isabella does to Cathy is murder the doll version of her after Cathy mocks her feelings for Heathcliff.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
13 Feb. 2026
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Chelsea Handler honors Rob Reiner, mocks DiCaprio's 'Titanic' vacationNeed a news break?—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Dakota Johnson plays a young dancer who finds herself in a German company run by witches, including Tilda Swinton as the austere Madame Blanc.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
22 Feb. 2026
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Why Baking Temperature Matters Baking temperature plays a big role in the way cookies spread, brown, and set in the oven.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Patagonia’s proprietary synthetic fill imitates down’s structure by spinning air-trapping microfilaments around a central fiber and requires fewer stabilizing seams and baffles than down.—
Kelly Bastone,
Outside,
10 Feb. 2026
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And, because life sometimes imitates art, Williams and Storrie are heading to the Olympics.—
Anna Zucca,
Vanity Fair,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In Euphoria, Dane portrays Cal Jacobs, the father of Jacob Elordi’s Nate Jacobs.—
Lexi Carson,
HollywoodReporter,
21 Feb. 2026
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Woodley plays Annie Clay, and Doherty portrays recurring character Link.—
Dessi Gomez,
Deadline,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Why Protein Is So Important Protein plays a role in nearly every function your body performs, says registered dietitian Lauren Manaker.—
Riley Wofford,
Martha Stewart,
21 Feb. 2026
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In 1964 Nagasaki, 14-year-old Kikuo (Soya Kurokawa) performs at a New Year’s event, impressing Hanjiro (Ken Watanabe), a beloved kabuki legend.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The short clip, posted on YouTube by COMA — the Chinatown Organization for Media Awakening — depicts director Jia Zhangke encountering an AI version of himself, leading to a conversation that blends humor with philosophical commentary on filmmaking in the age of artificial intelligence.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
17 Feb. 2026
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The 1973 black-and-white image, by an artist named Larry Williams, depicts a man being punched in the nose.—
Eva Remijan-Toba,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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It is not presented as a tool that simply processes hours, but as an instrument that interprets the meaning of those hours in each legal and contractual context.—
Daniel Fusch,
USA Today,
9 Feb. 2026
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For women, the brand interprets Future Memory through liberty blues, heritage plaids and silhouettes with strong shoulders.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
6 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Impersonates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impersonates. Accessed 25 Feb. 2026.
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