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
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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Chelsea Handler honors Rob Reiner, mocks DiCaprio's 'Titanic' vacationNeed a news break?—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
5 Jan. 2026
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There, Callahan mocks him, saying that killing him won't assuage Mike of his guilt.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
28 Dec. 2025
Verb
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The mother of three also revealed that her daughter, Princess Charlotte, isn’t officially involved in rugby, but joins in when the family plays together at home.—
Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa,
FOXNews.com,
2 Feb. 2026
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In the production, Hayes plays Elliott, a writer grappling with creative paralysis who retreats to a remote cabin, only to find the line between imagination and reality dangerously blurred.—
Dave Quinn,
PEOPLE,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
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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
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The layered neckline, with the bust peeking out from behind, imitates this season's hottest red carpet trend, the semi-visible bra.—
Kathleen Walsh,
Glamour,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Aristidou portrays these interactions with a dose of bittersweet ambivalence.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Variety,
31 Jan. 2026
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Inspired by real stories, Eva Marcille portrays a wife who miraculously cheats death after her husband’s (Tyler Lepley) betrayal in Pushed Off a Plane and Survived airing on February 28.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Gro-Low sumac performs best in full sun and tolerates partial shade, but will become less vigorous as the shade deepens.—
Tim Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Jan. 2026
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Last week, Matthew Allen, a Minneapolis rapper and activist who performs as Nur-D, put his body on the line to fight ICE.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The movie depicts Oher's life story, in which his character is homeless in Memphis, Tennessee and is adopted by the prominent Tuohy family.—
Irene Wright,
USA Today,
27 Jan. 2026
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With exquisite costume and set design, and detailed and discerning creative direction, Black Panther beautifully depicts Black royalty, which is not often highlighted in film and television.—
Lynnette Nicholas,
Parents,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Who interprets this for each function?—
Vibhas Ratanjee,
Forbes.com,
28 Jan. 2026
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After the school viewing, Noelle avoids eye contact with her mother, which April interprets as a provocation.—
Ruth Madievsky,
The Atlantic,
21 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Impersonates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impersonates. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.
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