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
This kind of fraud involves a scammer impersonating you to request a change of address with the United States Postal Service (USPS).
—
Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, Fox News, 16 Mar. 2025
In a recent alert, the agency warned that scammers have expanded beyond parking fines and are now impersonating road toll collection services.
—Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, Fox News, 15 Mar. 2025
This is not an isolated incident, and there have been regular reports of scammers impersonating state and local law enforcement, and even federal agencies, demanding payment to avoid arrest and prosecution.
—Zak Doffman, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
The victims were also persuaded to provide bail money to people who came to their home impersonating bail bondsmen and were often led to believe a gag order was in place, preventing them from telling anyone about the situation.
—Marc Ramirez, USA TODAY, 5 Mar. 2025
Listen to this article A New Jersey man, who has been in and out of jail at least a dozen times, allegedly killed his girlfriend and stashed her body under his bed, then spent the next month impersonating her online and using her phone to ask people for money, police said.
—Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 1 Mar. 2025
Separately, police at Philadelphia's Temple University are investigating after two students were accused of impersonating ICE agents at a campus business earlier this month.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 28 Feb. 2025
Callers reported that the men were impersonating federal immigration officials and recording their confrontations with community members.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 28 Feb. 2025
The classic example would be a man impersonating an identical twin to sleep with his wife or, as in the infamous Revenge of the Nerds scene, stealing a jock’s mask during a costume party and sleeping with his girlfriend.
—Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 21 Feb. 2025
Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, Fox News, 16 Mar. 2025
In a recent alert, the agency warned that scammers have expanded beyond parking fines and are now impersonating road toll collection services.
—Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, Fox News, 15 Mar. 2025
This is not an isolated incident, and there have been regular reports of scammers impersonating state and local law enforcement, and even federal agencies, demanding payment to avoid arrest and prosecution.
—Zak Doffman, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
The victims were also persuaded to provide bail money to people who came to their home impersonating bail bondsmen and were often led to believe a gag order was in place, preventing them from telling anyone about the situation.
—Marc Ramirez, USA TODAY, 5 Mar. 2025
Listen to this article A New Jersey man, who has been in and out of jail at least a dozen times, allegedly killed his girlfriend and stashed her body under his bed, then spent the next month impersonating her online and using her phone to ask people for money, police said.
—Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 1 Mar. 2025
Separately, police at Philadelphia's Temple University are investigating after two students were accused of impersonating ICE agents at a campus business earlier this month.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 28 Feb. 2025
Callers reported that the men were impersonating federal immigration officials and recording their confrontations with community members.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 28 Feb. 2025
The classic example would be a man impersonating an identical twin to sleep with his wife or, as in the infamous Revenge of the Nerds scene, stealing a jock’s mask during a costume party and sleeping with his girlfriend.
—Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 21 Feb. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impersonating
Verb
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Bannon talked over and through Newsom’s questions, goading the governor at certain points, gently mocking him at others.—
Gal Beckerman,
The Atlantic,
20 Mar. 2025
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In the essay, the 37-year-old recalled how Trachtenberg was often bullied by their peers, with kids mocking her for her role in Harriet the Spy.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
19 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Further factions emerge from there, as people start playing the game within the Squid Game, forming pockets of friendships and alliances, real and fake.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
26 Dec. 2024
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The World Junior tournament is always good for some surprises; a couple of unexpected players emerging as top scorers or playing well in big moments, or a traditional top nation getting upset in the medal round.—
Corey Pronman,
The Athletic,
26 Dec. 2024
Verb
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The sketch sees Sarah Sherman imitating Wood’s Chelsea, cartoonishly wide-eyed, donned in large false teeth and speaking in a thick accent.—
Claire Franken,
TVLine,
13 Apr. 2025
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The company uses data and AI learning to simulate attacks that go beyond just imitating an individual’s voice – like most modern sophisticated phishing attacks, the technology uses details about someone’s family, background, personality and more.—
Laya Neelakandan,
CNBC,
2 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Grande has been open about the emotional journey of portraying Glinda, which had been her dream role throughout her career.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
People.com,
9 Apr. 2025
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Farrar, portraying the observant and multilingual Demetrius, spoke about the invaluable experience of watching Davis and Anderson work.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
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In contrast, immigration and national security are his highest-performing issues, with 53% and 51% of voters approving of his handling of them.—
Brendan Rascius,
Miami Herald,
25 Mar. 2025
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When senior director of player personnel Matt Hogan finds a player on the waiver wire or assistant general manager Gavin Dickey has the latest on a well-performing minor-leaguer, Brown offers the same response.—
Chandler Rome,
The Athletic,
25 Mar. 2025
Verb
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When the acting dream started Growing up in Sacramento, Smalls was a three-sport athlete in high school attending West Campus, Rosemont and Foothill in North Highlands.—
Marcus D. Smith,
Sacramento Bee,
25 Mar. 2025
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Right before graduation, Smalls found a two-year program in the William Esper Studio in New York City which teaches acting techniques such as the Meisner Technique.—
Marcus D. Smith,
Sacramento Bee,
25 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The education campaign featured online illustrations depicting a Black mother, child and teenager suffering from the consequences of the mother’s marijuana usage.—
Elizabeth Hernandez,
The Denver Post,
20 Mar. 2025
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It is further brought to life on the Hulu adaptation of the same name, depicting a barren, stifling land of muted colors and brutal conditions.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
EW.com,
20 Mar. 2025
Verb
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In addition to providing data analysis, AI assists in interpreting campaign results, delivering actionable insights that help fuel confident decision-making and stronger outcomes for client partners.—
Manuel Machado,
Forbes,
11 Mar. 2025
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Physicians' expertise remains indispensable in interpreting AI findings within the broader clinical context.—
Paul Kovalenko,
Forbes,
11 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Impersonating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impersonating. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.
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