1
as in imitates
to copy or exaggerate (someone or something) in order to make fun of
the comedian was famous for mimicking the President's distinctive lisp
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2
as in emulates
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
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1
as in personators
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
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2
as in mimes
an actor in a story performed silently and entirely by body movements
a mimic in black clothes and white facial makeup
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Recent Examples of mimics
Naomi Fry, New Yorker, 18 Apr. 2026
Investigators said the dry pasta mimics the sound of Legos when they're shaken.
—Michele Gile, CBS News, 17 Apr. 2026
The classic Cali burger that mimics In-N-Out’s off-menu animal-style burger is available for the same price.
—Senior Food Editor, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2026
The loose, fast-draining structure of sandy soil helps prevent root rot and mimics the plant’s native, rocky Mediterranean habitat.
—Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 16 Apr. 2026
The fat in coconut milk mimics the fat in dairy milk for the best results.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026
For instance, Rise's round white body mimics the moon, while a footprint on the back pays homage to astronaut Neil Armstrong's historic step on the moon in 1969.
—David Chiu, PEOPLE, 14 Apr. 2026
The program mimics the routine for produce in consumers’ kitchens, typically rinsing it for 15–20 seconds, before testing for pesticides.
—Andrew Adam Newman, Fortune, 13 Apr. 2026
The wide, pull-on waistband mimics the waist on leggings, while soft, stretchy fabric offers more durability and polish.
—Francesca Krempa, Travel + Leisure, 12 Apr. 2026
Allison Palmer, Kansas City Star, 7 Apr. 2026
White felt along the bottom mimics snow, the whole setup bringing cozy holiday vibes to every meal.
—Lennie Omalza, Louisville Courier Journal, 13 Nov. 2025
These creatures are also notoriously talented mimics, as can be observed from the clip, and quick learners.
—Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Aug. 2025
Verb
Rue takes to this teaching like the Torah, ogling the girls grinding for bills with a fervor that mimics that of a religious revelation.
—Naomi Fry, New Yorker, 18 Apr. 2026
Investigators said the dry pasta mimics the sound of Legos when they're shaken.
—Michele Gile, CBS News, 17 Apr. 2026
The classic Cali burger that mimics In-N-Out’s off-menu animal-style burger is available for the same price.
—Senior Food Editor, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2026
The loose, fast-draining structure of sandy soil helps prevent root rot and mimics the plant’s native, rocky Mediterranean habitat.
—Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 16 Apr. 2026
The fat in coconut milk mimics the fat in dairy milk for the best results.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026
For instance, Rise's round white body mimics the moon, while a footprint on the back pays homage to astronaut Neil Armstrong's historic step on the moon in 1969.
—David Chiu, PEOPLE, 14 Apr. 2026
The program mimics the routine for produce in consumers’ kitchens, typically rinsing it for 15–20 seconds, before testing for pesticides.
—Andrew Adam Newman, Fortune, 13 Apr. 2026
The wide, pull-on waistband mimics the waist on leggings, while soft, stretchy fabric offers more durability and polish.
—Francesca Krempa, Travel + Leisure, 12 Apr. 2026
Noun
The sounds green noise mimics do have some research behind them, though.
—Allison Palmer, Kansas City Star, 7 Apr. 2026
White felt along the bottom mimics snow, the whole setup bringing cozy holiday vibes to every meal.
—Lennie Omalza, Louisville Courier Journal, 13 Nov. 2025
These creatures are also notoriously talented mimics, as can be observed from the clip, and quick learners.
—Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mimics
Verb
-
Aristotle said that art imitates nature (ars imitatur naturam), and for centuries, many artists sought to imitate their subjects as realistically as possible.—
Andrey Mir,
Big Think,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Whether or not life imitates art remains to be seen.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Following film was a full run on the team’s NBA floor rather than the practice facility, which better emulates a game feel.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
14 Apr. 2026
-
Instead, the site recommends a homemade mixture consisting of four parts water to one part sugar, which emulates the amount of sugar naturally found in nectar.—
Cheyenne Derksen,
Oklahoman,
22 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Rae’s setup was meticulous, maximalist, and totally unified—the boa made of hundred-dollar bills, the backup dancers who looked vaguely like mimes, the scaffolding that suggested Moulin Rouge!—
Paul A. Thompson,
Pitchfork,
13 Apr. 2026
-
From ringmasters and lions to clowns and mimes, everyone went all out with their party attire.—
Ashlyn Robinette,
PEOPLE,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In an odd twist, ESPN’s Matt Miller mocks Joly to Denver with the 111th pick — which is the fourth-rounder that Miami dealt to the Broncos in the Jaylen Waddle deal that netted the Dolphins picks in the first, third and fourth rounds.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
10 Apr. 2026
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This seems like a reach, but many mocks now have Cooper, previously considered a second-round pick, going to the Jets in the middle of the first round.—
Michael Salfino,
New York Times,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
On a party count, that is 4-3 for the Dems and the one-for-you, one-for-me bipartisan staffing copies the Board of Elections.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Every time the virus copies itself inside a cell, its genetic material mutates.—
Kyle B. Enfield,
The Conversation,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Alaska, Hawaiian are consistent performers The AQR also singled out Alaska Airlines as the steadiest performer in the industry.—
Christopher Elliott,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Talkative characters like the froggish Mallow and even Bowser himself are motor-mouthed and sarcastic, nigglingly mocking Mario for his inability to speak in anything other than nods and pantomimes.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
5 Apr. 2026
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Disney then filmed Kerry's movements, reactions, and pantomimes, complete with props but without any dialogue to work with, over the course of nine months.—
Lauren Huff,
Entertainment Weekly,
22 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Ben Hania’s film before that, 2020’s Oscar-nominated The Man Who Sold His Skin, parodies the art world’s fetishization of refugees.—
Alexander Durie,
Time,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Newsom has been trying to raise his national profile, adopting a combative style that parodies Trump’s social media strategy with similar all-caps posts, memes and merchandise.—
Adriana Gomez Licon,
Fortune,
26 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Mimics.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mimics. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
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