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 The facades are replicas made to scale, one-third the size of the original buildings. Olivia Young, CBS News, 8 Apr. 2026 Later, return to Nashville to explore Centennial Park and its remarkable full-scale Parthenon replica. Lauren Schuster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Apr. 2026 Later, return to Nashville to explore Centennial Park and take in its full-scale Parthenon replica before dark. Lauren Schuster, Miami Herald, 8 Apr. 2026 Not just related to the writing process, replicas and their cousins (mirror images, lookalikes, doubles/multiples) appear throughout the book across generations, and between friends and strangers. Literary Hub, 7 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for replica
Recent Examples of Synonyms for replica
Noun
  • Crew shares first images of Earth from capsule An image of Earth taken by Artemis II commander Reid Wiseman inside the Orion capsule on April 3, 2026.
    Mark Osborne, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2026
  • There’s nothing fancy about a big, square screen that sits upstage of the circular playing area, but the subtlety in which the images and mood flows through the screen greatly enhance the storytelling.
    David John Chávez, Mercury News, 10 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • One laborer stole a parking placard and made a copy of it in order to park in a secure lot, the OIG found.
    Talia Soglin, Chicago Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026
  • The memo, a copy of which was sent to The Associated Press, followed a long day of reports suggesting Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund was on the verge of cutting its financial backing of the upstart league.
    ABC News, ABC News, 15 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Loretta even kept up with her busy schedule well into her pregnancy with the twins.
    Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 14 Apr. 2026
  • Both sets of twins were delivered at Independence Health System's Westmoreland Hospital in Greensburg, Pennsylvania.
    ABC News, ABC News, 14 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • For classics that lack CAD designs, the cars can be scanned to make computer models for reproduction.
    Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 10 Apr. 2026
  • The Uncertainty Factor for the Grizzly Bear Cubs FWP researcher Cecily Costello noted that the timing of the birth aligns with typical grizzly reproduction patterns, as females generally have their first cubs between ages five and six.
    Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 10 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The clone in question is a nod to an ongoing TikTok conspiracy theory that suggests Gomez was replaced by a body double or a clone after her kidney transplant in 2017.
    Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 2 Apr. 2026
  • The plot twist comes after a fateful rover crash, when the true nature of the operation is revealed; Sam is really a clone that's replaced every three years when his contract ends.
    Jeff Spry, Space.com, 30 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Many imitation almond extracts or essences rely on synthetic benzaldehyde for flavor, which can create saccharine notes that overpower delicate desserts like custards, sponges, or pastry creams.
    Emily Saladino, Bon Appetit Magazine, 9 Apr. 2026
  • UniFlex enables efficient cross-scenario task generalization and imitation learning.
    Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 9 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • But the markets could be driven by a broader picture.
    Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 14 Apr. 2026
  • The next day, McWhorter also shared a picture on Instagram of Batchelder, 30, kissing his cheek.
    Luke Chinman, PEOPLE, 14 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Of the more than 100 habeas petitions that have already been closed this year, a federal judge rejected only one, The Post found, while a few dozen more were duplicates or were dismissed voluntarily.
    Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 12 Apr. 2026
  • The Union-Tribune is excluding from its analysis ICE records of arrests that are likely to be duplicates.
    Alexandra Mendoza, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Replica.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/replica. Accessed 17 Apr. 2026.

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