Synonym Chooser

How does the noun facsimile differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of facsimile are copy, duplicate, replica, and reproduction. While all these words mean "a thing made to closely resemble another," facsimile suggests a close reproduction often of graphic matter that may differ in scale.

a facsimile of a rare book

When is it sensible to use copy instead of facsimile?

In some situations, the words copy and facsimile are roughly equivalent. However, copy applies especially to one of a number of things reproduced mechanically.

printed 1000 copies of the lithograph

When can duplicate be used instead of facsimile?

The synonyms duplicate and facsimile are sometimes interchangeable, but duplicate implies a double or counterpart exactly corresponding to another thing.

a duplicate of a house key

When might replica be a better fit than facsimile?

Although the words replica and facsimile have much in common, 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

In what contexts can reproduction take the place of facsimile?

While in some cases nearly identical to facsimile, 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 facsimile Ask any top-flight manager to draw up the frame and skill set of their ideal midfielder, all rules of creation in their hands, and Toure would be the closest facsimile. The Athletic Uk Staff, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2025 French Bloom Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs, $59 Floral, balanced, a pleasant facsimile of blanc de blancs. Eric Asimov, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025 Champagne prices for Champagne facsimiles. Eric Asimov, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025 The paper-printing machines of the past 40 years may indeed someday be completely discontinued, but the necessity to send facsimiles of documents lives on. Tamsin Gable, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for facsimile
Recent Examples of Synonyms for facsimile
Noun
  • And behind the scenes, Ocado uses digital twin technology, essentially a virtual replica of the warehouse, to simulate and optimize everything from customer demand to delivery routes.
    Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report, FOXNews.com, 20 Apr. 2025
  • Aaron Paul gives a compelling double performance as both the astronaut Cliff and a robot replica of Cliff temporarily controlled by fellow astronaut David (Josh Hartnett).
    Christian Holub, EW.com, 18 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • There was a grocery list, spice cans, copies of L.A. newspapers.
    Carolyn Kellogg, Los Angeles Times, 24 Apr. 2025
  • The title was pressed as a picture disc and made available in small quantities, as just 6,500 copies were produced.
    Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Micromanagement isn’t always the classic image of a controlling boss hovering nearby.
    Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes.com, 4 May 2025
  • That potentially gives him the opportunity to shape the country’s politics in his and his party’s image in a way no leader has since the Liberals’ John Howard in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
    Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 4 May 2025
Noun
  • For a group of animals already at risk due to slow reproduction, additional reproductive stress caused by pollution could make recovery even harder.
    Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
  • Options among the four available range from an exact reproduction (this creates difficult-to-manage text boxes in Word) to unformatted text.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 30 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • This project marked Sidibe's return to acting after welcoming her twins with her husband.
    Hannah Sacks, People.com, 28 Apr. 2025
  • The twins worked together on screen again in Own Worst Enemy (2014), 7 Days: The Story of Blind Dave Heeley (2019), and Last Night in Soho (2021).
    Julia Emmanuele, EW.com, 27 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Front and center was a picture of Tatum and Williams holding hands, with the actor kissing the model's forehead.
    Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2025
  • On his return to the home dressing room, Nunez posted a picture of himself with a large cigar.
    James Pearce, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • In a way, The Bad Batch became the culmination of everything that had been built around the seemingly simple concept of the elite clone troopers.
    Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 27 Apr. 2025
  • Nemesis is divisive among franchise fans, but Hardy’s performance as Captain Picard’s secret clone Praetor Shinzon feels exactly right.
    Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 25 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • More than 400 landscapes, portraits, still lifes and sculptures — from folk Art and the Hudson River School through the modernist movements — will be on view.
    Tanya Mohn, New York Times, 2 May 2025
  • Through rare archival footage, intimate interviews, and an immersive sonic experience, the series offers an unflinching, deeply human portrait of artistic innovation, community resilience, and the enduring struggle for Black empowerment in America.
    Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 1 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Facsimile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/facsimile. Accessed 9 May. 2025.

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