1
as in mocking
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 playing
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 impersonating
Police impersonator in Harford County This incident comes nearly a week after a man was arrested in Harford County for impersonating an officer in a shopping center.
—
Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 8 May 2026
ShinyHunters is known for making English-language phone calls and impersonating employees to trick company employees into handing over access to their IT systems.
—Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 8 May 2026
Cliff Steinhauer, director of information security and engagement at the National Cybersecurity Alliance, warns that someone impersonating a school district, for example, could send a malicious message prompting users to reset their Canvas password.
—ABC News, 8 May 2026
For Oakley, being a drag king is about challenging masculinity rather than impersonating someone, which is what older male impersonators have traditionally done.
—Nicole MacIas Garibay, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2026
From the start of 2021 through the election in fall of 2024, the FTC — the nation’s top consumer protection agency — fielded about 960 immigration complaints per year, such as reports of fake attorneys offering services or people impersonating federal officers.
—Naisha Roy, ProPublica, 29 Apr. 2026
In December 1988, Parrott was convicted of carrying a weapon in Harris County and was later arrested again in May 1990 for impersonating a police officer.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 29 Apr. 2026
Christopher Aaron Murray faces a series of charges, including impersonating law enforcement, state officials said.
—Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 27 Apr. 2026
Julián Jiménez, seen here with his wife, said he was scammed by people impersonating Catholic Charities.
—Albinson Linares, NBC news, 26 Apr. 2026
Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 8 May 2026
ShinyHunters is known for making English-language phone calls and impersonating employees to trick company employees into handing over access to their IT systems.
—Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 8 May 2026
Cliff Steinhauer, director of information security and engagement at the National Cybersecurity Alliance, warns that someone impersonating a school district, for example, could send a malicious message prompting users to reset their Canvas password.
—ABC News, 8 May 2026
For Oakley, being a drag king is about challenging masculinity rather than impersonating someone, which is what older male impersonators have traditionally done.
—Nicole MacIas Garibay, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2026
From the start of 2021 through the election in fall of 2024, the FTC — the nation’s top consumer protection agency — fielded about 960 immigration complaints per year, such as reports of fake attorneys offering services or people impersonating federal officers.
—Naisha Roy, ProPublica, 29 Apr. 2026
In December 1988, Parrott was convicted of carrying a weapon in Harris County and was later arrested again in May 1990 for impersonating a police officer.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 29 Apr. 2026
Christopher Aaron Murray faces a series of charges, including impersonating law enforcement, state officials said.
—Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 27 Apr. 2026
Julián Jiménez, seen here with his wife, said he was scammed by people impersonating Catholic Charities.
—Albinson Linares, NBC news, 26 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impersonating
Verb
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Vargas reached out to Charles via a TikTok DM to request a donation, and Charles posted a video on the platform mocking her message.—
Dani Di Placido,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
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Three weeks after that self-mocking self-tape, a Mercedes-Benz was waiting outside one of Bournemouth’s student accommodation blocks.—
Lily Ford,
HollywoodReporter,
14 May 2026
Verb
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At a press conference Wednesday announcing the bill, lawmakers cited studies showing that the cost of playing youth sports has risen by 46% in five years, with many families paying more than $5,000 per child for a single season.—
Kenny Jacoby,
USA Today,
14 May 2026
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The 16-year-old Sullivan collected his first career MLS goal, playing a cross to Ben Bender and finishing the return pass to cut the deficit to 3-2.—
Kyle Foley,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 May 2026
Verb
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Life is officially imitating art for Dani Rojas from Ted Lasso.—
Lexi Carson,
HollywoodReporter,
13 May 2026
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The contest aims to challenge negative stereotypes of seagulls, which are often seen as a nuisance, by imitating them, per local network WTV.—
Adam England,
PEOPLE,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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At the same time, a growing chorus of conservative policymakers and activists has begun to question whether the government should pay family caregivers at all, portraying the programs as wasteful and prone to fraud.—
Mike Hixenbaugh,
NBC news,
15 May 2026
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Clay Travis also pointed out how Dennis is bad for ESPN’s business by portraying SEC schools and fans as racist.—
Bobby Burack OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
15 May 2026
Verb
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Losing Fried would be a gut punch for most organizations, but with Schlittler continuing his ascension into stardom, the Yankees might be able to continue performing as one of the league’s best clubs without much of a blip.—
Chris Kirschner,
New York Times,
16 May 2026
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Dara performing during a dress rehearsal in Vienna on Saturday.—
Andrew Jones,
NBC news,
16 May 2026
Verb
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Rousey left the sport after consecutive losses, while Carano moved on to an acting career after taking her first loss.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
17 May 2026
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These themes emerged out of conversations Dusabejambo had with these actual women, traumatized and/or guilty, before casting them in the film despite no acting experience.—
David Canfield,
HollywoodReporter,
17 May 2026
Verb
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Vibrant, large-scale paintings depicting animal and jungle scenes throughout the hotel are from the original owner’s collection, all from Haiti.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
16 May 2026
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Disrupting the possibility of cheerful solitude is both a stylistic and social shift, disturbing the film’s non-narrative serenity while depicting how dismantling the safety net displaces basic functions onto those least able to bear them.—
Vadim Rizov,
IndieWire,
16 May 2026
Verb
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The settlements come after years of fierce and expensive court battles, which highlighted the difficulties in interpreting a legal provision that was first enacted several years after it was written into law.—
Nora Gámez Torres,
Miami Herald,
11 May 2026
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Before interpreting for film professionals, she had never been whisked to places like the Chateau Marmont.—
Tim Grierson,
Los Angeles Times,
11 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Impersonating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impersonating. Accessed 19 May. 2026.
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