Synonym Chooser

How does the noun replica differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of replica are copy, duplicate, facsimile, and reproduction. While all these words mean "a thing made to closely resemble another," replica implies the exact reproduction of a particular item in all details, but not always in the same scale.

a replica of the Mayflower
miniature replicas of classic cars

When would copy be a good substitute for replica?

The words copy and replica can be used in similar contexts, but copy applies especially to one of a number of things reproduced mechanically.

printed 1000 copies of the lithograph

When is duplicate a more appropriate choice than replica?

The synonyms duplicate and replica are sometimes interchangeable, but duplicate implies a double or counterpart exactly corresponding to another thing.

a duplicate of a house key

When could facsimile be used to replace replica?

While the synonyms facsimile and replica are close in meaning, facsimile suggests a close reproduction often of graphic matter that may differ in scale.

a facsimile of a rare book

Where would reproduction be a reasonable alternative to replica?

In some situations, the words reproduction and replica are roughly equivalent. However, reproduction implies an exact or close imitation of an existing thing.

reproductions from the museum's furniture collection

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 replica Weber said the next art sculpture in the works is a life-size replica of the John Hastings ferry boat, which will be installed along the Riverfront Commons Trail near Manhattan Boulevard and Berry Street in Dayton, Kentucky. Jolene Almendarez, Cincinnati Enquirer, 2 Oct. 2025 Some members of Congress, including Marsha Blackburn, are attempting to pass legislation that would protect the voice and visual likenesses of individuals and creators from digital replicas created without their consent. Andrew R. Chow, Time, 1 Oct. 2025 And of course, each doll came with a mini replica of David Greybeard from her early days at Gombe National Park in Tanzania. Alexandra Schonfeld, PEOPLE, 1 Oct. 2025 The accurate replica car, AntEdna is in a class of its own though. Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 1 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for replica
Recent Examples of Synonyms for replica
Noun
  • The images could look livelier this season.
    Rob Rossi, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
  • The initiative, which aims to strengthen the country’s image abroad and attract foreign industry by promoting the Brazilian film industry, is the result of a Technical and Financial Cooperation Agreement between the two organizations.
    Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 6 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • There are a dozen books in the main series as well as a three-book spin off series — counting all of them, the books have sold more than three million copies worldwide.
    Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Over the summer, the DOJ asked the South Carolina Election Commission for copies of the state's voter registration list.
    Melina Khan, USA Today, 6 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • From meeting friends who led lives beyond their wildest dreams to discovering themselves surrounded by expensive clothes and flashy cars, the twins were introduced to a whole new world.
    Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 2 Oct. 2025
  • In 2009, the couple welcomed twins Bob and Max, who were born six weeks prematurely, and required a prolonged hospital stay.
    Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Another, the cost of reproduction hypothesis, suggests that carrying and delivering a child, and providing parental care, can come with a survival cost, according to the study.
    Amarachi Orie, CNN Money, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Without this abundance, reproduction rates fall, cub survival drops, and entire ecosystems can shift.
    Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 1 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The new policies also include more explicit bans on unauthorized AI voice clones and deepfakes.
    Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 25 Sep. 2025
  • Then, like a rhizomatous plant, its tentacles have spread, producing clones around the world.
    Dennis Hinkamp, Denver Post, 23 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Jane's chimp imitation was an easy choice to hook the average, even mildly interested, reader.
    Ron Arias, PEOPLE, 5 Oct. 2025
  • But Swift’s work with Jack Antonoff slipped into a too-reliable throwback synth-pop aesthetic that doesn’t feel fresh after years of iterations and imitations.
    Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 3 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • At the core of the GOP’s shutdown argument is painting a grim picture of any non-citizen receiving any government benefit.
    David Weigel, semafor.com, 2 Oct. 2025
  • My adoptive parents had refused to allow contact or send pictures, and didn’t tell me about her attempt to communicate with us for years after the fact.
    Nicole Chung, The Atlantic, 2 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Dedicate budget and time to remove duplicates, reconcile systems and build a consistent data model.
    David Kelley, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
  • Sort all the items by category so they can be grouped together, get rid of unnecessary duplicates, and re-home items that can be stored elsewhere.
    Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 17 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Replica.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/replica. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.

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