MOCK Synonyms: 355 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of mock are ape , copy , imitate , and mimic . While all these words mean "to make something so that it resembles an existing thing," mock usually implies imitation with derision. // mocking a vain man's pompous manner

Q: When is 'ape' a more appropriate choice than 'mock'?

The synonyms ape and mock are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 'mock'?

While the synonyms copy and mock are close in meaning, copy suggests duplicating an original as nearly as possible. // copied the painting and sold the fake as an original

Q: Where would 'imitate' be a reasonable alternative to 'mock'?

Although the words imitate and mock have much in common, imitate suggests following a model or a pattern but may allow for some variation. // imitate a poet's style

Q: When is it sensible to use 'mimic' instead of 'mock'?

While in some cases nearly identical to mock , mimic implies a close copying (as of voice or mannerism) often for fun, ridicule, or lifelike imitation. // pupils mimicking their teacher

mock 1 of 3

verb

ˈmäk

Definition of mock

as in to parody

to copy or exaggerate (someone or something) in order to make fun of team members good-naturedly mocked the coach's familiar bellow

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in to ridicule

to make (someone or something) the object of unkind laughter the fashion gurus loved to mock the famous couple for their unsophisticated clothes

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to disobey

to go against the commands, prohibitions, or rules of a person willing to mock the religious prohibition against working on the Sabbath

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

mock

2 of 3

adjective

as in faux

being such in appearance only and made with or manufactured from usually cheaper materials mock turtle soup

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in fake

lacking in natural or spontaneous quality since I had inadvertently learned what I was getting, I opened the present with mock surprise

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

mock

3 of 3

noun

as in joke

a person or thing that is made fun of they made a mock of the new recruit in front of the whole unit

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in copy

something that is made to look exactly like something else obviously, the "priceless" Grecian urn that is destroyed in the movie was a mock

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word mock distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of mock are ape, copy, imitate, and mimic. While all these words mean "to make something so that it resembles an existing thing," mock usually implies imitation with derision.

mocking a vain man's pompous manner

When is ape a more appropriate choice than mock?

The synonyms ape and mock are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 mock?

While the synonyms copy and mock are close in meaning, copy suggests duplicating an original as nearly as possible.

copied the painting and sold the fake as an original

Where would imitate be a reasonable alternative to mock?

Although the words imitate and mock have much in common, imitate suggests following a model or a pattern but may allow for some variation.

imitate a poet's style

When is it sensible to use mimic instead of mock?

While in some cases nearly identical to mock, mimic implies a close copying (as of voice or mannerism) often for fun, ridicule, or lifelike imitation.

pupils mimicking their teacher

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of mock

Verb

As recently as five years ago, meme users were still mocking Cullen’s sparkling appearance. — David MacK, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026 Gunn said some of the Internet memes mocking her moves were humorous before widespread analysis of her efforts took on a frenzied life of its own. — Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 14 Aug. 2026

Adjective

Juice a Mock Scrape Where legally permitted, juicing a scrape or creating a mock scrape can influence deer, too. — Josh Honeycutt, Outdoor Life, 6 Aug. 2026 Throughout her career, Williamson has volunteered with CASA, Harvesters, Lead to Read KC, Student Law Academy and local mock trial competitions. — Cuyler Dunn, Kansas City Star, 5 Aug. 2026

Noun

That said, 18 of the 32 players in last year’s early mock were drafted in the first three rounds last week, including 12 in the first round. — Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026 So instead, Kimmel presented his own schtick, appearing on a mock set at the Washington Hilton with clips of the president and others in the crowd, some looking none too happy. — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 24 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for mock

Recent Examples of Synonyms for mock

Verb

These polyester fits have also been parodied in video skits, where comedians put on an all-over polyester print outfit, like a wolf T-shirt and galaxy pants, and parody the stereotypical nerdy kid.

— Rachel Hale, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2026
The popular national chain of gas stations and convenience stores agreed to settle a lawsuit with an oddities store outside Winter Park earlier this year over a collection of merchandise parodying the company’s iconic, bucktoothed logo.

— Cristóbal Reyes, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of parody

Verb

Beloved by younger fans who remember the sneaker’s original 2013 release, the style is sometimes ridiculed by purists, but that doesn’t make its inclusion any less valid.

— Riley Jones, Footwear News, 18 Aug. 2026
Perhaps the biggest challenge is the infrastructure required to ensure there are no major glitches — which have led to ridicule for the company when they’ve been posted to social media.

— Chase Hunter, Mercury News, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of ridicule

Verb

People don’t do what they’re supposed to, or someone betrays someone else for money or power or spite, or maybe a dragon just disobeys its rider and decides to murder a prince.

— Brian Grubb, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026
Contempt of Congress is a federal misdemeanor in which an individual willfully disobeys or impedes a congressional investigation.

— Connor Greene, Time, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of disobey

Adjective

The titular protagonist of Isador Machete Cortez enjoys a bizarre history, originating in the first Spy Kids movie before taking center stage in a faux trailer created for Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino’s exploitation throwback, Grindhouse.

— Josh Weiss, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
The chrome finish and low-profile faux leather seat lend a contemporary look to any kitchen.

— BestReviews, Mercury News, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of faux

Adjective

The company behind a poll that Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass touted as showing her with a double-digit lead in the mayoral race said the survey was entirely fake and part of a social experiment.

— Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 18 Aug. 2026
There’s much more for fans of special effects to discover, from the practical snow used whenever feasible to the geysers of fake blood used to comedic effect.

— Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of fake

Noun

There are moments, say at a fan’s family home in Casablanca, when a joke gets lost in translation.

— Lale Arikoglu, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Aug. 2026
And then there’s the Ren Faire episode, where a McPoyle brothers’ cameo portends a closing joke so distressing my innocent little brain rejected all the warnings of its arrival.

— Ben Travers, IndieWire, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of joke

Noun

Somehow this abstract understanding exists alongside, or by means of, the objects in the waiting room—a paper cup from the water cooler, or a copy of People magazine.

— Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 21 Aug. 2026
The album went on to sell more than two million copies and remains beloved by fans today.

— Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of copy

Verb

Under Kirby Smart, Georgia’s defense remains the modern prototype most of college football aims to imitate.

— Noah White, Miami Herald, 18 Aug. 2026
For an industry watching this unfold, the lesson is not that scarcity marketing is a clever new tactic worth imitating everywhere.

— Olivia Shalhoup, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of imitate

Browse Nearby Words

moccasins

mock

mocked

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Mock.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mock. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of mock

verb

adjective

noun

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on mock

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

expeditious

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 21

16 Glee-ridden Words from Schitt's Creek

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes