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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of impersonates
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
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
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
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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Today, reality mocks the dream.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
27 Feb. 2026
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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
Verb
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Staying socially engaged plays a meaningful role in maintaining cognitive health.—
Olivia McIntosh,
Martha Stewart,
15 Mar. 2026
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In this poignant courtroom drama, Hanks plays Andrew Beckett, an attorney who is fired from his law firm upon discovering his sexuality and his AIDS diagnosis.—
Devan Coggan,
Entertainment Weekly,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
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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Through his personal story, the film portrays with honesty and strength the process through which a person redefines his life, identity and boundaries after a profound overturn of events, reminding us that the real strength often lies beneath the surface.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
15 Mar. 2026
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As Andrew hires a lawyer (Denzel Washington) to sue his former employer for discrimination, Hanks movingly portrays a man fighting for his life in a society that fears and loathes him.—
Devan Coggan,
Entertainment Weekly,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Primarily a clarinet player, Samuel eagerly learned the bass clarinet and performs as a soloist with last year’s symphony orchestra.—
Heide Janssen,
Oc Register,
15 Mar. 2026
-
While traditional radar systems use large antenna arrays and complex computational algorithms to interpret data, EyeDAR’s physical design performs the processing.—
Etiido Uko
March 14,
New Atlas,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The focal point is a mural that Philz commissioned from Bay Area artist Nigel Sussman that depicts San Leandro’s history, agricultural roots and local landmarks, from the famed cherry orchards to a favorite long-ago raceway.—
Linda Zavoral,
Mercury News,
11 Mar. 2026
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When Teo depicts the claustrophobic nature of a relationship where the temperature is constantly rising.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Before, During, and After Meals Drinking a glass of water before a meal can help control appetite because of the way the brain interprets fullness.—
Angelica Bottaro,
Verywell Health,
10 Mar. 2026
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In an improbable feat of dexterity, the American fingerstyle guitarist interprets the work of the UK electronic savants, finding graceful new forms in their brain-bending tangles.—
Sam Sodomsky,
Pitchfork,
6 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Impersonates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impersonates. Accessed 17 Mar. 2026.
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