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
Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 3 Apr. 2026
The character, played by Esteban Andres Cruz, has been reduced to a simpering stereotype who makes a pass at a cop and mimics a blow job.
—Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 2 Apr. 2026
Although the astronauts will not land on the moon, Artemis II mimics early Apollo missions that were designed as a stepping stone to test all of the equipment and procedures before making the daring landing.
—Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2026
Sennheiser Headphones Deals The Sennheiser HD 599 SE is a staple for audiophiles who like a natural, spacious soundscape that mimics a live performance.
—Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 31 Mar. 2026
Sharpening a knife on a whetstone mimics the earliest way humans sharpened tools.
—Jesse Raub, Bon Appetit Magazine, 30 Mar. 2026
Scenic designer Matthew Herman created a rectangular center stage with LED panel lighting by Sammy Webster that mimics the flourescent office lights of the past but explodes with color in a surprise dancing-on-the-tables scene.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
Drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy contain semaglutide, which mimics a hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1, or GLP-1.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2026
The breakthrough by a team at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) mimics how bats rely on simple echolocation to move through dark, cluttered environments with minimal neural processing.
—Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 27 Mar. 2026
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
Colorado, of course, is not short on country musicians or venues that play their music, but Patterson hopes to add his unique spin to Broken Bow Western Bar and Dance Hall by showcasing artists he’s collaborated with and curating an aesthetic that mimics his Instagram page.
—Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 3 Apr. 2026
The character, played by Esteban Andres Cruz, has been reduced to a simpering stereotype who makes a pass at a cop and mimics a blow job.
—Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 2 Apr. 2026
Although the astronauts will not land on the moon, Artemis II mimics early Apollo missions that were designed as a stepping stone to test all of the equipment and procedures before making the daring landing.
—Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2026
Sennheiser Headphones Deals The Sennheiser HD 599 SE is a staple for audiophiles who like a natural, spacious soundscape that mimics a live performance.
—Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 31 Mar. 2026
Sharpening a knife on a whetstone mimics the earliest way humans sharpened tools.
—Jesse Raub, Bon Appetit Magazine, 30 Mar. 2026
Scenic designer Matthew Herman created a rectangular center stage with LED panel lighting by Sammy Webster that mimics the flourescent office lights of the past but explodes with color in a surprise dancing-on-the-tables scene.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
Drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy contain semaglutide, which mimics a hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1, or GLP-1.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2026
The breakthrough by a team at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) mimics how bats rely on simple echolocation to move through dark, cluttered environments with minimal neural processing.
—Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 27 Mar. 2026
Noun
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
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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
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Whether or not life imitates art remains to be seen.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
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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
-
Meanwhile, anyone online can browse Epstein’s correspondence on Jmail, a site that emulates the experience of browsing his Gmail inbox.—
Kyle Chayka,
New Yorker,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
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From ringmasters and lions to clowns and mimes, everyone went all out with their party attire.—
Ashlyn Robinette,
PEOPLE,
6 Apr. 2026
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Expertise in using one’s body (think dancers or mimes).—
Big Think,
Big Think,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Tight end Assuming Oregon’s Kenyon Sadiq is long gone, there’s only one who’s a potential option at 43 - Vanderbilt’s Eli Stowers, who Miller mocks to Miami.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
6 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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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 9 Apr. 2026.
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