MIMIC Synonyms: 162 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'mimic' distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of mimic are ape , copy , imitate , and mock . While all these words mean "to make something so that it resembles an existing thing," mimic implies a close copying (as of voice or mannerism) often for fun, ridicule, or lifelike imitation. // pupils mimicking their teacher

Q: Where would 'ape' be a reasonable alternative to 'mimic'?

While in some cases nearly identical to mimic , ape may suggest presumptuous, slavish, or inept imitating of a superior original. // American fashion designers aped their European colleagues

Q: When would 'copy' be a good substitute for 'mimic'?

The words copy and mimic can be used in similar contexts, but copy suggests duplicating an original as nearly as possible. // copied the painting and sold the fake as an original

Q: When could 'imitate' be used to replace 'mimic'?

The meanings of imitate and mimic largely overlap; however, imitate suggests following a model or a pattern but may allow for some variation. // imitate a poet's style

Q: In what contexts can 'mock' take the place of 'mimic'?

In some situations, the words mock and mimic are roughly equivalent. However, mock usually implies imitation with derision. // mocking a vain man's pompous manner

mimic 1 of 3

verb

Definition of mimic next

as in to imitate

to copy or exaggerate (someone or something) in order to make fun of the comedian was famous for mimicking the President's distinctive lisp

Synonyms & Similar Words

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as in to emulate

to use (someone or something) as the model for one's speech, mannerisms, or behavior began to learn their language by mimicking the sounds they made

Synonyms & Similar Words

mimic

2 of 3

adjective

as in simulated

being such in appearance only and made with or manufactured from usually cheaper materials police were concerned that the mimic gun, although intended only as a toy, might be confused with the real thing in certain situations

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in imitative

using or marked by the use of something else as a basis or model a mimic battle fought by kids playing around in the schoolyard

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

mimic

3 of 3

noun

ˈmi-mik

as in imitator

a person who imitates another's voice and mannerisms for comic effect a gifted mimic who can do a terrific imitation of anyone's voice

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in mime

an actor in a story performed silently and entirely by body movements a mimic in black clothes and white facial makeup

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word mimic distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of mimic are ape, copy, imitate, and mock. While all these words mean "to make something so that it resembles an existing thing," mimic implies a close copying (as of voice or mannerism) often for fun, ridicule, or lifelike imitation.

pupils mimicking their teacher

Where would ape be a reasonable alternative to mimic?

While in some cases nearly identical to mimic, ape may suggest presumptuous, slavish, or inept imitating of a superior original.

American fashion designers aped their European colleagues

When would copy be a good substitute for mimic?

The words copy and mimic can be used in similar contexts, but copy suggests duplicating an original as nearly as possible.

copied the painting and sold the fake as an original

When could imitate be used to replace mimic?

The meanings of imitate and mimic largely overlap; however, imitate suggests following a model or a pattern but may allow for some variation.

imitate a poet's style

In what contexts can mock take the place of mimic?

In some situations, the words mock and mimic are roughly equivalent. However, mock usually implies imitation with derision.

mocking a vain man's pompous manner

Examples of mimic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

These drugs, which mimic a hormone that regulates appetite and blood sugar, have shown remarkable effectiveness in treating obesity and type 2 diabetes. —

Bruce Gil, Quartz, 25 Sep. 2024 Harris briefly lowers her voice and changes her speech pattern in an apparent attempt to mimic former President Donald Trump and his running mate, Ohio Sen. JD Vance, but otherwise has normal cadence and inflection. —

Nate Trela, USA TODAY, 24 Sep. 2024

Adjective

For most of the world, the virus went its way, mutating cleverly, with the weird mimic intelligence of microorganisms. —

Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 19 Feb. 2024 Or a cautionary tale, a mimic man whom Western letters seduced, then rejected and disgraced? —

Julian Lucas, The New Yorker, 11 Sep. 2023

Noun

Mayer is obviously a wicked guitar player, supple and slick, an ace as a mimic who also has his own panache. —

Nick Paumgarten, The New Yorker, 22 July 2024 Bamford is a gifted mimic, but standing above her nuanced and withering impressions of associates and strangers is her fully immersive portrayal of her mother. —

Brian Boone, Vulture, 10 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for mimic

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'mimic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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“Mimic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mimic. Accessed 10 Oct. 2024.

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Last Updated: 3 Oct 2024 - Updated example sentences

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Synonyms of mimic

verb

adjective

noun

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Examples of mimic in a Sentence

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