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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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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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The group openly mocks Jesus Christ and many Christian and Catholic traditions.—
Jon Root OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
30 May 2026
-
Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is demanding all copies of Unethical Hoops, a new Operation-style board game that mocks his foul-drawing reputation, be destroyed.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 2026
Verb
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Reid plays this so well, but the direction is a little over the top, with drug-trip visuals that are too distracting to follow the dense-as-ever disjointed narration.—
Rebecca Alter,
Vulture,
8 June 2026
-
Haiti opens its World Cup campaign against Scotland in Boston on June 13, then plays Brazil June 19 in Philadelphia and Morocco June 24 in Atlanta.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
7 June 2026
Verb
-
But neither painting nor photography imitates nature.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 June 2026
-
Like most creative endeavors, art imitates life at Monse.—
Madeline Hirsch,
InStyle,
29 May 2026
Verb
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As Skeletor Actor and 30 Seconds to Mars frontman Jared Leto portrays Skeletor, the central villain in Masters of the Universe.—
Olivia Singh,
Forbes.com,
5 June 2026
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Actress Meg Foster, as Skeletor’s henchwoman Evil-Lyn, is utterly wasted, as is lovely Chelsea Field, who portrays He-Man’s main squeeze Teela.—
Jeffrey Ressner,
HollywoodReporter,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
Grande performs the track while sitting on a stool with one leg tucked under her.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
7 June 2026
-
Research generally shows Medicare Advantage performs well on preventive care and some utilization measures.—
Eve Cunningham,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2026
Verb
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The coarser shades of red and orange, illuminated by the setting sun on the western portals, color the side of the basilica that depicts Christ’s Passion.—
Joseph Wilson,
Los Angeles Times,
10 June 2026
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Some credit must be given for the relationship between this away shirt and the home, which featured the stripes from the American flag, whereas this one depicts the stars.—
Nick Miller,
New York Times,
10 June 2026
Verb
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How the Federal Reserve interprets the combination of surging inflation and strong employment – a major driver of mortgage interest rates – remains to be seen.—
Matt Richardson,
CBS News,
10 June 2026
-
Last year, researchers at the University of California San Diego developed a wearable AI system that accurately interprets arm gestures and controls robots, even during running, vehicle motion, or rough ocean conditions.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
10 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Impersonates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impersonates. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.
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