imitate
verb
im·i·tate
ˈi-mə-ˌtāt 
imitated; imitating
1
: to follow as a pattern, model, or example
Her style has been imitated by many other writers.
2
a
: to copy or repeat (the form, character, qualities, conduct, manners, etc.) of someone or something : mimic, counterfeit
can imitate his father's booming voice
The scout imitated the bird's call.
b
: to resemble by biological mimicry
chameleons imitating their background
The viceroy butterfly is said to imitate the monarch.
3
: to be or appear like : resemble
a fabric that imitates silk
4
: to produce a copy of : reproduce
… able to imitate the various brilliant and delightful touches of nature.—
Anne Brontë
Anne BrontëExamples of imitate in a Sentence
Her style has been imitated by many other writers.
He's very good at imitating his father's voice.
She can imitate the calls of many different birds.
Recent Examples on the Web
For starters, as Anthropic’s explicit focus on mitigating the risks of AI has apparently won the trust of many consumers, OpenAI has imitated many of its rival’s safety initiatives.
—Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 28 Apr. 2026
Another potential treatment route the study opens up is using machines to massage cancer cells, imitating the rhythmic beating of the heart.
—Anil Oza, STAT, 23 Apr. 2026
While using Rallee, students might jump in place to help their avatar clear an obstacle or imitate their avatar by stretching their arms wide while taking a deep breath.
—Mary Jean Tecce Decarlo, The Conversation, 23 Apr. 2026
Life imitating art By the time Artemis astronauts begin assembling a real foothold at the Moon’s south pole, the blueprint will feel oddly familiar, at least to those sim addicts who have been dreaming of a functional moon colony for decades now.
—Alan Bradley, Space.com, 22 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for imitate
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Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 28 Apr. 2026
Another potential treatment route the study opens up is using machines to massage cancer cells, imitating the rhythmic beating of the heart.
—Anil Oza, STAT, 23 Apr. 2026
While using Rallee, students might jump in place to help their avatar clear an obstacle or imitate their avatar by stretching their arms wide while taking a deep breath.
—Mary Jean Tecce Decarlo, The Conversation, 23 Apr. 2026
Life imitating art By the time Artemis astronauts begin assembling a real foothold at the Moon’s south pole, the blueprint will feel oddly familiar, at least to those sim addicts who have been dreaming of a functional moon colony for decades now.
—Alan Bradley, Space.com, 22 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for imitate
Cite this Entry
“Imitate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/imitate. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
imitate
verb
im·i·tate
ˈim-ə-ˌtāt
imitated; imitating
1
: to follow as a pattern, model, or example
2
: to be or appear similar to
3
: to copy exactly
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