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
Scammers impersonating Chinese police officers are continuing to target international students in Philadelphia — particularly students from China — in an attempt to get money from the victims, the city's FBI field office said.
—
Alexandra Simon, CBS News, 21 Jan. 2026
The Broward Sheriff’s Office issued its first public warning about the scam in December, though at the time it was limited to people impersonating law enforcement.
—Rafael Olmeda, Sun Sentinel, 15 Jan. 2026
Spotify announced changes to its AI music policies in September, noting that songs with AI voice clones impersonating other artists are only allowed on the platform if the original performer approves.
—Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 14 Jan. 2026
Prosecutors have said Banfield was impersonating his wife, Christine, in an online account on a fetish website.
—Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 13 Jan. 2026
Council members Bob Blumenfield and Eunisses Hernandez aim to maximize fines and fees for any individuals impersonating a federal, state or local law enforcement agent, as well as to ensure residents’ can rightfully request verifiable identification of masked, non-uniformed or unmarked individuals.
—City News Service, Daily News, 9 Jan. 2026
He was robbed by a man impersonating a police officer and testified as a key witness at the trial, according to a media reports.
—Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 31 Dec. 2025
The lobster heist fits in the first type, which involves someone impersonating a legitimate trucking company.
—Fortune, 31 Dec. 2025
Drew Michael similarly mocked Jimmy Fallon’s emptiness in his 2021 special Red Blue Green by impersonating his ability to laugh at anything, and Hasan Minhaj impersonated Aziz Ansari’s cartoonishness in 2022’s The King’s Jester.
—Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 30 Dec. 2025
Alexandra Simon, CBS News, 21 Jan. 2026
The Broward Sheriff’s Office issued its first public warning about the scam in December, though at the time it was limited to people impersonating law enforcement.
—Rafael Olmeda, Sun Sentinel, 15 Jan. 2026
Spotify announced changes to its AI music policies in September, noting that songs with AI voice clones impersonating other artists are only allowed on the platform if the original performer approves.
—Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 14 Jan. 2026
Prosecutors have said Banfield was impersonating his wife, Christine, in an online account on a fetish website.
—Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 13 Jan. 2026
Council members Bob Blumenfield and Eunisses Hernandez aim to maximize fines and fees for any individuals impersonating a federal, state or local law enforcement agent, as well as to ensure residents’ can rightfully request verifiable identification of masked, non-uniformed or unmarked individuals.
—City News Service, Daily News, 9 Jan. 2026
He was robbed by a man impersonating a police officer and testified as a key witness at the trial, according to a media reports.
—Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 31 Dec. 2025
The lobster heist fits in the first type, which involves someone impersonating a legitimate trucking company.
—Fortune, 31 Dec. 2025
Drew Michael similarly mocked Jimmy Fallon’s emptiness in his 2021 special Red Blue Green by impersonating his ability to laugh at anything, and Hasan Minhaj impersonated Aziz Ansari’s cartoonishness in 2022’s The King’s Jester.
—Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 30 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impersonating
Verb
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Continue reading … SKETCHY MOVE – 'Saturday Night Live' cuts skit offering tribute to Minnesotans, mocking ICE agent.—
,
FOXNews.com,
23 Jan. 2026
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The unarmed, nonviolent citizens who have been following ICE agents, blowing whistles to alert people to their presence, even heckling and mocking them, are not just trying to impede their work.—
Gal Beckerman,
The Atlantic,
19 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The large tabletop is ideal for setting out snacks or playing a game with friends, while the distressed, two-tone brown-and-white finish blends easily with existing furniture.—
Jacqueline Tempera,
PEOPLE,
22 Jan. 2026
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If Moncada is healthy and playing third, that leaves those players to compete for time at second.—
Jeff Fletcher,
Oc Register,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Trump celebrates our nation’s founding while imitating tyrant King George III, argues columnist Jackie Calmes.—
James Rainey,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Jan. 2026
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So art is indeed imitating art.—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
16 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Rhodes has been a babyface—effectively portraying this same character—dating back to when AEW opened its doors in 2019.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
25 Jan. 2026
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After portraying Olympic-level rivals on screen, Storrie and Williams will have the opportunity to play a role in the real-life Games.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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There is a solid chance that the AI might not be proficient at performing music therapy.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
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For instance, Schultz has steadfastly fought against performing blood transfusions in the field, despite the federal government’s offer of billions of dollars in grants to pay for them.—
Tony Saavedra,
Oc Register,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Culkin was just four years old when his acting career began.—
Emlyn Travis,
Entertainment Weekly,
12 Jan. 2026
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In 2026, Elordi snagged two acting nominations at the Golden Globes, including Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture for his role in Frankenstein.—
Brianne Tracy,
PEOPLE,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In the 18th and 19th centuries, this square was the site of a slave market; today, bronze sculptures depicting scenes of branding and auctioning stand in memory of that brutal past.—
Caitlin Gunther,
Travel + Leisure,
12 Jan. 2026
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British law prohibits distribution of deepfake imagery depicting adults.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Interestingly, the clip of the penguin proved something of a Rorschach test, with some viewing the creature as a lonely outcast, and others interpreting the penguin’s journey as a quest for adventure.—
Dani Di Placido,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
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Understanding Latin America is not merely a requirement for interpreting headlines about Venezuela but a prerequisite for Americans to understand themselves and their place in the world.—
Ana L. Ros,
The Conversation,
26 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Impersonating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impersonating. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.
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