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 Journey into the past Deep in the heart of Cal Expo, beyond the doors of Expo Building 4, fair goers can see a collection of replica artifacts originally found in ancient Egyptian King Tutankhamen’s tomb. Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 17 July 2026 And yes, Nolan and his crew were actually out at sea, aboard a replica of a Greek ship. Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 17 July 2026 Developer Shawn Kennedy of Kennedy Properties & Development, who gained control of the site just over a year ago, plans to build a near-replica of the original structure in the same footprint. Charlotte Observer, 17 July 2026 The goal was to produce museum-quality replica garments inspired by the iconic Apollo flight jackets. Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 16 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for replica
Recent Examples of Synonyms for replica
Noun
  • Andrew Tate faces 42 charges, including rape, human trafficking, indecent images of a child and assault, according to the UK Crown Prosecution Service and Bedfordshire Police.
    Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN Money, 20 July 2026
  • The lawsuit alleges that Sheriff Robert Luna failed to confiscate Giandomenico’s phone after learning of the photos and tried to conceal from Nancy Lemus that the images existed.
    Andrew Khouri, Los Angeles Times, 19 July 2026
Noun
  • The company informed sellers Wednesday of the policy change, according to a copy of the announcement viewed by CNBC.
    Annie Palmer, CNBC, 24 July 2026
  • On Friday, Qualcomm sent a letter to customers informing them of price hikes, according to a copy of the document seen by Bloomberg News.
    Noelle Harff, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 July 2026
Noun
  • In recent years, the typical Shears song has cloaked descriptions of paranormal encounters in hardcore distortion and cartoon sound effects, fleshing out the twins’ strange world while hinting at weirder mysteries beneath the surface.
    Jude Noel, Pitchfork, 22 July 2026
  • As automation, digital twins, predictive maintenance and intelligent control systems become embedded across energy infrastructure, companies must compete for digital expertise while simultaneously retraining much of their existing workforce.
    Elena Bou, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
Noun
  • As a result, this could cause diminished reproduction cycles for the whales.
    Pat Mueller, USA Today, 20 July 2026
  • Studies show warmer winters have also extended their reproduction period and reduced cold fatalities.
    Kasha Patel, CNN Money, 18 July 2026
Noun
  • The interview, therefore, presents an opportunity to stand out in a sea of clones.
    Cami Fateh, Vogue, 22 July 2026
  • So, it's been up to tech journalists to investigate and connect some dots, but there's certainly reason to believe that Skyrover and Xtra are true clones, not knock-offs or imitations.
    Jim Fisher, PC Magazine, 21 July 2026
Noun
  • Walker wore his Cardinals hat backward, chewed a big wad of bubble gum and reveled afterward in flashing his imitation Liberty Bell bling, the champions chain presented by Ryan Howard.
    Dan Gelston, Chicago Tribune, 17 July 2026
  • The platform includes software interfaces and development tools for vision-language-action (VLA) models, reinforcement learning and imitation learning, allowing developers to move AI algorithms from virtual environments to real-world hardware.
    Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 14 July 2026
Noun
  • Information collected during flight is shared across the formation, giving nearby aircraft a broader picture of threats and changing battlefield conditions.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 20 July 2026
  • Yamal shared a sweet photo of the moment in a carousel of several other celebratory pictures from the championship final on Instagram.
    Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 20 July 2026
Noun
  • Some have been coming here since the 2010 World Cup, and their steady presence and exhaustive supplies of duplicates have established this as the place to go.
    Maria Jose Gutierrez-Chavez, Curbed, 17 July 2026
  • Johns discovered that there was a small detail on the dress’ backside that duplicates often got wrong.
    Rance Collins, Entertainment Weekly, 17 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Replica.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/replica. Accessed 26 Jul. 2026.

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