as in to play
to pretend to be (what one is not) in appearance or behavior likes to personate the man of the world, but he's still the small-town hick that he always was

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 personate Till’s motifs swept though the ensemble, as horns, clarinets, bassoons, violin all had a chance to personate the character. By Libby Hanssen, kansascity.com, 3 June 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for personate
Verb
  • In the Carmel area, the trail passes a cool play space and Midtown Plaza, where the family can play a little ping-pong or corn hole, grab a bite to eat, or just relax on the bench swings.
    Beth Luberecki, USA Today, 4 Oct. 2025
  • The Stars played their first eight seasons in Reunion Arena, located in downtown Dallas.
    Rob Rossi, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • As in Milwaukee, the callers will impersonate a sheriff deputy and indicate a legal matter needs to be resolved through payment.
    David Clarey, jsonline.com, 6 Oct. 2025
  • So don't go off topic, don't impersonate anyone, and don't get your facts wrong.
    Zac Ntim, Deadline, 6 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Watch the full collection of Survivor 49 players hilariously imitating Probst making fun of them during a challenge in the video at the top of the article.
    Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Oct. 2025
  • Often imitated but never duplicated, the Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer continues to be a bestseller online, beloved by both salon owners and everyday users alike.
    Brittany Loggins, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The drama was followed by another housemate, George, being evicted after mocking gay housemate Sam.
    Mathew Rodriguez, Them., 8 Oct. 2025
  • The new video is part of a pattern in which DHS has increasingly deployed memes to mock migrants and popular culture.
    Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The White House has also continued to troll House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries with AI videos portraying Jeffries in a sombrero and fake mustache.
    Joey Garrison, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
  • In the musical, Levy portrays Mother, the matriarch of a wealthy white family, who discovers her self-confidence and independence.
    Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • They’re set to expire in December, and while Congress could act to extend them, a prolonged government shutdown threatens to delay or derail that effort, leaving millions of Americans at risk of losing coverage.
    Beth Warren, Nashville Tennessean, 3 Oct. 2025
  • The unions have asked the court to declare that both OMB and OPM have exceeded their statutory authority and acted in an arbitrary and capricious manner, and to invalidate any actions that may come from the memos and guidance issued.
    Franco Ordoñez, NPR, 2 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Personate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/personate. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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