ape 1 of 3

verb

Definition of apenext
as in to imitate
to use (someone or something) as the model for one's speech, mannerisms, or behavior was caught aping the substitute teacher's thick accent

Synonyms & Similar Words

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ape

2 of 3

adjective

as in nuclear

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Dissimilar Words

ape

3 of 3

noun

1
as in aper

Related Words
2
as in anthropoid

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Dissimilar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word ape distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of ape are copy, imitate, mimic, and mock. While all these words mean "to make something so that it resembles an existing thing," ape may suggest presumptuous, slavish, or inept imitating of a superior original.

American fashion designers aped their European colleagues

When is it sensible to use copy instead of ape?

The words copy and ape can be used in similar contexts, but copy suggests duplicating an original as nearly as possible.

copied the painting and sold the fake as an original

Where would imitate be a reasonable alternative to ape?

Although the words imitate and ape have much in common, imitate suggests following a model or a pattern but may allow for some variation.

imitate a poet's style

When might mimic be a better fit than ape?

The words mimic and ape are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, mimic implies a close copying (as of voice or mannerism) often for fun, ridicule, or lifelike imitation.

pupils mimicking their teacher

When could mock be used to replace ape?

While the synonyms mock and ape are close in meaning, mock usually implies imitation with derision.

mocking a vain man's pompous manner

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 ape
Verb
The re-enactments, which include bomb-making and transportation, as well as the three-pronged plan to escape, have a flavor that calls to mind ’70s heist and spy films, accompanied by Michael James Lee’s jaunty, genre-aping score. —Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 13 Mar. 2026 In 1685, Giovanni Borelli, the Italian physicist, foresaw a world where machines driven by pulleys could ape the actions of animals. —Kamal Ahmed, Fortune, 12 Mar. 2026
Noun
Jared Taglialatela, director of the Ape Initiative and co-author of one of the ape studies, agrees. —Cody Cottier, Scientific American, 19 Feb. 2026 They were listed in 2015 as critically endangered IUCN's Red List of Threatened Species but critically depleted as of 2023, and considered the world's rarest ape and primate by the ZSL. —Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 16 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ape
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ape
  1. imitate
  2. nuclear
  3. anthropoid
  4. emulate
  5. berserk
  6. poser
  7. skunk
  8. copy
Verb
  • Researchers will wear sensors while carrying out laboratory tasks, allowing the system to capture movements, workflows, and decision-making patterns that robots can later imitate.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 18 May 2026
  • What makes the campaign especially convincing is that each stage imitates familiar Apple, Google or Microsoft software behavior many Mac users already trust and routinely encounter.
    — Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026
Definition of imitate
Adjective
  • The weapon, developed to deliver multiple nuclear warheads over great distances, has a mixed record in testing so far and was once planned to be fielded in 2020.
    — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 15 May 2026
  • Russia’s Rosatom State Nuclear Energy Corporation has announced the completion of manufacturing of the first RITM-200 reactor unit for the Leningrad nuclear icebreaker.
    — Abhishek Bhardwaj, Interesting Engineering, 15 May 2026
Definition of nuclear
Noun
  • That the officiant would be a giant anthropoid jar of mayo named Manny Mayo was actually too good to be true.
    — Heather Schroering, Bon Appetit Magazine, 6 Aug. 2025
  • By never breaking the anthropoid conceit — keeping Williams a chimp from working-class childhood obscurity to adult pop-stardom — Better Man evolves into the most honest and exploratory showbiz movie ever made.
    — Armond White, National Review, 10 Jan. 2025
Definition of anthropoid
Verb
  • Her own of-the-moment style was something that many Ron Herman shoppers sought to emulate.
    — Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 19 May 2026
  • His biggest achievement at City has been winning the Premier League-Champions League-FA Cup treble in the 2022-23 season, emulating the feat of Manchester United in 1999.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 19 May 2026
Definition of emulate
Adjective
  • Paige’s music hit and the crowd at WrestleMania 42 went absolutely berserk.
    — Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 19 Apr. 2026
  • This has unintended consequences when both Batel and Spock share a vision that sends Spock into a berserk rage.
    — Keith Phipps, Vulture, 31 July 2025
Definition of berserk
Noun
  • Get paid, hang out like the rest of these posers.
    — Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 7 May 2026
  • Hey, none of you posers got any caprese sandwiches, right?
    — Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 30 Mar. 2026
Definition of poser
Noun
  • Only about 30 percent of all nests evade their many predators, including skunks, opossums, raccoons, coyotes, snakes, and even domestic dogs and cats.
    — Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 29 Apr. 2026
  • That means don’t send your dog out to charge a skunk, and don’t go outside banging on pots and pans or yelling, which is only going to make the skunk feel threatened.
    — Arricca Elin SanSone, Southern Living, 24 Apr. 2026
Definition of skunk
Verb
  • The maybe-2028 presidential hopeful went on to boast that other states like New York are looking to copy a law California passed last year that regulates large language models like OpenAI’s ChatGPT chatbot.
    — Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 19 May 2026
  • Mouth Inflammation The cells in your body need B12 to copy their DNA correctly.
    — Brandi Jones, Health, 19 May 2026
Definition of copy

Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Ape.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ape. Accessed 20 May. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on ape

Nglish: Translation of ape for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about ape

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