Definition of replicanext

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 His replica of the Newburyport house has stood in his own garden for nearly a decade untouched. — Shax Riegler, Architectural Digest, 13 Nov. 2026 Petty Tojiro Classic Petty Knife Named for the French word petite, which means small, the petty knife is often a replica of the gyuto, just in a much, much smaller form. — Jesse Raub, Bon Appetit Magazine, 13 Nov. 2026 Other exhibits let visitors try a shuttle landing simulator, sit inside a replica flight deck and descend a 45-foot slide designed to evoke the shuttle’s return through Earth’s atmosphere. — City News Service, Daily News, 12 Nov. 2026 For its 35th annual Holiday Train Show, the New York Botanical Garden has around 200 replicas of NYC landmarks on display. — CBS News, 11 Nov. 2026 See All Example Sentences for replica
Recent Examples of Synonyms for replica
Noun
  • Unlike conventional sonar approaches that rely on lower-resolution acoustic images, synthetic aperture sonar combines multiple acoustic measurements collected as the sensor moves through the water.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 2 Nov. 2026
  • The image was manipulated by artificial intelligence and posted by a Colombian artist, according to Brazilian fact-checking outlet Agência Lupa.
    — Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 2 Nov. 2026
Noun
  • Inside was a storage room, holding a copy of every title ever welcomed into the Criterion Collection.
    — Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 13 Nov. 2026
  • Teams apply those findings to product development, ad creative, website copy, and customer service scripts.
    — Felysha Walker, Miami Herald, 12 Nov. 2026
Noun
  • Having entered the Anesthesiologist Assistant program in May, the twins are now securing airways through intubation, calculating delicate medication dosages, and tailoring anesthesia to patients with chronic conditions.
    — Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 11 Nov. 2026
  • In addition to their initial reunion, the finale sees the twins team up to save their father’s life.
    — Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 11 Nov. 2026
Noun
  • Most of it centered on a life-size reproduction of part of the clock tower on the roof of Wako, a department store in the tony Tokyo neighborhood of Ginza, scarred by a kaiju attack.
    — Matt Alt, New Yorker, 8 Nov. 2026
  • Last month, Hermès approached him to create a miniature wooden reproduction of the flagship store at its historic Paris location.
    — Angela Yang, NBC news, 6 Nov. 2026
Noun
  • Authors can produce an audiobook with a synthetic narrator or a clone of their own voice, and translate the book—and that audiobook—into other languages.
    — Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 9 Nov. 2026
  • The Deadpool & Wolverine actress also reflected on her time working alongside Hugh Jackman on Logan as the mutant clone/biological daughter of Wolverine, Laura/X-23.
    — McKinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 4 Nov. 2026
Noun
  • Instead, the rest of the world must learn from China without mistaking adaptation for imitation.
    — Ruby Wang, semafor.com, 27 Oct. 2026
  • The team that opened the season as the overwhelming favorite to win Super Bowl LXI continued to look like a cheap imitation.
    — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • To graduate from a stock concept to a real observation, picture-of-a-picture imagery like this asks for delicate framing.
    — H.D. Angel, Pitchfork, 9 Nov. 2026
  • In a new study, researchers at the University of Ottawa have proposed this unconventional picture, which challenges some of modern physics’ biggest assumptions.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 8 Nov. 2026
Noun
  • The new volume includes valuable findings alongside duplicates, unverifiable submissions and reports lacking enough depth to act on.
    — Ido Geffen, Forbes.com, 5 Nov. 2026
  • Once a document is marked as a duplicate, it would likely be excluded from the files.
    — Daniel Ruetenik, CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Replica.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/replica. Accessed 15 Nov. 2026.

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