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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
But only male pilots can apply—so Wooram goes full Twelfth Night and impersonates her twin brother Boram, with his blessing.
—
Literary Hub, 1 Apr. 2026
Like that video where Bryan Cranston impersonates Art Garfunkel at Central Park, and his bouffant gets bigger every time the camera cuts back.
—Mike Sutter, San Antonio Express-News, 25 Feb. 2026
Those that fear dust mites and other allergens will be pleased to know this $40 pick from Quince impersonates hotel luxury pillows without the goose down or the price point.
—Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 19 Feb. 2026
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
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
Literary Hub, 1 Apr. 2026
Like that video where Bryan Cranston impersonates Art Garfunkel at Central Park, and his bouffant gets bigger every time the camera cuts back.
—Mike Sutter, San Antonio Express-News, 25 Feb. 2026
Those that fear dust mites and other allergens will be pleased to know this $40 pick from Quince impersonates hotel luxury pillows without the goose down or the price point.
—Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 19 Feb. 2026
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impersonates
Verb
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And after running expansion mocks before the April 3 proceedings, the Tempo anticipated veteran wing Bridget Carleton — native of Chatham, Ontario – would be available for the second pick.—
Brian Hamilton,
New York Times,
8 May 2026
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But her desperation seems exposed at Cupertino, too, where Little Tim mocks her for her dim suggestion that psychotherapists be deployed to the company’s Guangzhou factory to cool down a labor crisis.—
Scott Tobias,
Vulture,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Matt Damon plays a Navy admiral in a submarine, who’s getting updates from his team on a terrifying creature in the murky waters.—
Rima Parikh,
Vulture,
10 May 2026
-
The only loss in that streak was against The Academy of Central Florida — which plays outside the FHSAA.—
Buddy Collings,
The Orlando Sentinel,
10 May 2026
Verb
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The pieces are all made from fade- and weather-resistant poly material, which even imitates the look of wood grain for a more stylish finish.—
Paige Bennett,
Better Homes & Gardens,
22 Apr. 2026
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Aristotle said that art imitates nature (ars imitatur naturam), and for centuries, many artists sought to imitate their subjects as realistically as possible.—
Andrey Mir,
Big Think,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Lenz portrays Rebecca Clarke, a recent widow who travels with her 11-year-old daughter Sarah (Morgan) to the Western Canadian frontier to escape a threat back home and make a fresh start following her husband’s death.—
Denise Petski,
Deadline,
6 May 2026
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Sessa stars alongside Emilia Jones, who plays a former high school acquaintance, as well as Dagmara Domińczyk, Rich Sommer, comedian Stavros Halkias, Leo Woodall, and Antonio Banderas, who portrays the chef at the restaurant where Bourdain finds work.—
Tommy McArdle,
PEOPLE,
5 May 2026
Verb
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Proper egg storage is the difference between an ingredient that performs beautifully and one that poses a genuine food safety risk.—
Anne Wolf,
Martha Stewart,
9 May 2026
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George Clinton performs onstage at the 2026 Grammy Hall Of Fame gala held at The Beverly Hilton hotel in Los Angeles on May 8.—
People Staff,
PEOPLE,
9 May 2026
Verb
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Benjamin Franklin, who was 81 at the time of the Constitutional Convention, which the statue depicts, felt old to her; the fine lines on his forehead gave it away.—
Tribune News Service,
Baltimore Sun,
11 May 2026
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The episode, co-written by series stars Jon Bernthal and Ebon Moss-Bachrach, depicts a day Michael and Richie spent together.—
Erin Jensen,
USA Today,
8 May 2026
Verb
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The jazz quartet interprets the work of Thelonious Monk, expanding classic compositions into absorbing experimental journeys that stretch beyond free jazz.—
Levi Dayan,
Pitchfork,
11 May 2026
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Devin Archer richly interprets Emile’s romantic ballads, French accent and all, while Cindy Chang brings some honest dignity to Bloody Mary and Anthony Maggio’s Cabel goes far beyond the standard-issue tenor.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
11 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Impersonates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impersonates. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
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