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 In the public cloud, one patient or customer record can spread into replicas, logs, embeddings, feature stores, caches and model checkpoints. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 24 Sep. 2026 Items Ripley announced would be on sale include a replica of the Golden Gate Bridge created on the head of a pin, Joe DiMaggio’s crutches, a chicken-wire portrait of Janis Joplin, and toothpick renditions of the Golden Gate Bridge, to name a few. — Noe Padilla, USA Today, 22 Sep. 2026 Some of the items being considered include a replica of the Golden Gate Bridge created on the head of a pin and crutches from baseball Hall of Famer Joe DiMaggio, who grew up in San Francisco. — Tim Fang, CBS News, 22 Sep. 2026 The team sent the replica scrolls to researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology in Gaithersburg, Maryland, to decipher. — Taylor Nicioli, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for replica
Recent Examples of Synonyms for replica
Noun
  • Some are painted with a stuttering distortion, like a computer image that’s failed to fully download.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2026
  • In particular, the image of the sickly, slumbering child recurs throughout Marcon’s work.
    — Matthew McLean, Artforum, 22 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • And virtual copies of the castle's Georgian dining-room furniture are readily available at America's home furnisher.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Then mail that form, as well as a copy of a valid photo ID or a government document that shows your name and address, such as a utility bill or bank statement, to your local election authority.
    — Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 24 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • On one occasion, some very skinny boys and a pair of twins formed a circle around the blood and began to sing.
    — Elvira Navarro, Harpers Magazine, 22 Sep. 2026
  • So the twin who was in space, his chromosomes got—the telomeres got altered.
    — David Brooks, The Atlantic, 20 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • But warmer temperatures favor mosquito reproduction and can mean the transmission season sometimes lasts as late as November, Bella explained.
    — Giada Zampano, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Copyright law then provided a framework for determining ownership, licensing, reproduction and compensation.
    — Morey Haber, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Relying on human instinct to catch an AI clone is a losing strategy.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 21 Sep. 2026
  • One of the clones, Antonia, has done what her counterpart has failed to do — produce a surviving lineage of ferrets.
    — Shi En Kim, AZCentral.com, 21 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Santo Domingo admits there are certain people whose imitation simply gets under her skin.
    — Alesandra Dubin, Glamour, 17 Sep. 2026
  • According to the criminal complaint, police found an imitation pistol in the suspect’s bag.
    — Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 11 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • But then this little picture called The Odyssey came calling for Annie.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Like all the other participants in the beginning class, Bugumba also has an artistic bent, bringing a tumbler artistically decorated with cat logos and a phone case covered with feline pictures.
    — Janice Neumann, Chicago Tribune, 20 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • The list of candidates for the top prize duplicates last year’s roster of EOTY nominees, with the exception of Langley taking the spot that went to Morgan Wallen in 2024.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 10 Sep. 2026
  • Objectors also allege some petition sheets were copies, duplicates or did not apply to the specified referendum.
    — Addison Wright, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Replica.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/replica. Accessed 27 Sep. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!