simulate

verb

sim·​u·​late ˈsim-yə-ˌlāt 

simulated; simulating

transitive verb

1

: to give or assume the appearance or effect of often with the intent to deceive : imitate

2

: to make a simulation of (something, such as a physical system)

simulative

ˈsim-yə-ˌlā-tiv 

adjective

Did you know?

The zircon, that favorite of home shopping channels, simulates a diamond—more or less. A skilled furrier can dye lower-grade furs to simulate real mink. A skilled actress can simulate a range of emotions from absolute joy to crushing despair. And an apparatus that simulates the hazards of driving while intoxicated is likely to provide some very real benefits.

Synonyms

• act
• affect
• assume
• bluff
• counterfeit
• dissemble
• fake
• feign
• pass (for)
• pretend
• profess
• put on
• sham

Choose the Right Synonym for simulate

assume, affect, pretend, simulate, feign, counterfeit, sham mean to put on a false or deceptive appearance.

assume often implies a justifiable motive rather than an intent to deceive.

assumed an air of cheerfulness around the patients

affect implies making a false show of possessing, using, or feeling.

affected an interest in art

pretend implies an overt and sustained false appearance.

pretended that nothing had happened

simulate suggests a close imitation of the appearance of something.

cosmetics that simulate a suntan

feign implies more artful invention than pretend, less specific mimicry than simulate.

feigned sickness

counterfeit implies achieving the highest degree of verisimilitude of any of these words.

an actor counterfeiting drunkenness

sham implies an obvious falseness that fools only the gullible.

shammed a most unconvincing limp

Examples of simulate in a Sentence

The model will be used to simulate the effects of an earthquake.

cosmetics that simulate a suntan

Recent Examples on the Web

On the PCMark Work 3.0 test, which simulates general mobile tasks, the Galaxy A25 reached 12,718. —PCMAG, 6 Apr. 2024

Studying Striking Stars For this new study, a research team looked at 1,000 stars in the star cluster near the Milky Way's supermassive black hole and simulated them orbiting around Sagittarius A (Sgr A). —Elizabeth Gamillo, Discover Magazine, 5 Apr. 2024

The board is designed for beginners, and the company says kids as young as 3 can use it to simulate spins, twists, and slides. —Maya Polton, Parents, 24 Mar. 2024

Despite their relatively small numbers, the Ghost Army was able to simulate around 30,000 men, or two divisions, by using radio, sonic and visual deception, according to the National World War II Museum. —Emily Deletter, USA TODAY, 22 Mar. 2024

The frustrated Daly simulates a Star Trek–like space adventure within the game, using his co-workers’ DNA to create digital clones of them and leading them as the captain of the USS Callister starship. —Georg Szalai, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Mar. 2024

The Filipino contractors effectively functioned as artificial artificial intelligence, simulating the output of software algorithms that had yet to be completed. —IEEE Spectrum, 13 Mar. 2024

Temporal data capturing fluctuations in renewable generation and electricity demand at an hourly resolution are also incorporated into the model, therefore allowing users to simulate grid operations over time. —IEEE Spectrum, 26 Mar. 2024

Anabella, an Israeli company co-founded by a woman, recently released the first breast pump to simulate a baby’s tongue. —Sydney Page, Washington Post, 18 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin simulātus, similātus, past participle of simulāre, similāre "to pretend, assume the appearance of by one's conduct, produce a fraudulent imitation of, imitate," derivative of similis "having characteristics in common, like" — more at similar

First Known Use

1652, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

simulate

verb

sim·​u·​late ˈsim-yə-ˌlāt 

simulated; simulating

: to give the appearance or effect of : imitate

Medical Definition

simulate

transitive verb

sim·​u·​late ˈsim-yə-ˌlāt 

simulated; simulating

: to have or produce a symptomatic resemblance to

lesions simulating leprosy

simulation

ˌsim-yə-ˈlā-shən 

noun

Legal Definition

simulate

transitive verb

sim·​u·​late ˈsim-yə-ˌlāt 

simulated; simulating

in the civil law of Louisiana : to make or carry out in a manner that does not express one's true intent

a simulated sale of the debtor's property in which no consideration was paid