as in fake
being such in appearance only and made with or manufactured from usually cheaper materials
the dummy shutters on the house are actually made of vinyl and are for decoration only
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in idiot
a stupid person
it's obvious that she's in love with you, you dummy
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
3
as in copy
something that is made to look exactly like something else
for the movie, the props department made a dummy of the lunar module actually used in the mission
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dummy
Reuters, USA Today, 9 Jan. 2026
The vehicle's upper stage reached space, deployed dummy versions of SpaceX's Starlink satellites, and splashed down in the Indian Ocean as planned.
—Mike Wall, Space.com, 21 Dec. 2025
Alex Wynne, Footwear News, 29 Jan. 2026
Feig loved the idea, and after some tests with a dummy, reworked the finale to create the audience-pleasing death scene that now serves as the movie’s climax.
—Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 28 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dummy
Adjective
On that occasion, Ukrainian sources said the missile was carrying dummy warheads, not explosives, and caused limited damage.
—Reuters, USA Today, 9 Jan. 2026
The vehicle's upper stage reached space, deployed dummy versions of SpaceX's Starlink satellites, and splashed down in the Indian Ocean as planned.
—Mike Wall, Space.com, 21 Dec. 2025
Noun
To highlight his creative process, instead of a look book, Mabire-Larguier showcased the toile of his design on a dummy at the entrance to the studio, with pattern-marks and pins on show, all the better to signify the technique involved in its elaboration.
—Alex Wynne, Footwear News, 29 Jan. 2026
Feig loved the idea, and after some tests with a dummy, reworked the finale to create the audience-pleasing death scene that now serves as the movie’s climax.
—Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 28 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dummy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dummy
Adjective
-
The agency allegedly used Bank of America accounts to lure young women with fake modeling offers, while financial records suggest the bank was aware of these suspicious connections, according to plaintiff’s claims.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Some guests got very into it—one adopted a fake British accent for the duration.—
Rachel Syme,
New Yorker,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Up next, Johnstone will direct the live-action Monster High movie, based on Mattel’s doll line, for the company, as well as Universal Pictures and Akiva Goldsman’s Weed Road.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
3 Feb. 2026
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The group’s notebooks read like fragments of fairy tales or magical realism—years of stories within stories within stories, like Russian nesting dolls.—
Shannon Taggart,
Artforum,
1 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Around 656 boxes of original 2020 election records – as opposed to copies – were seized, according to Fulton County Commissioner Marvin Arrington.—
Aysha Bagchi,
USA Today,
11 Feb. 2026
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The National Owners Association, an independent franchisee advocate group, adopted a Franchisee Bill of Rights in August and circulated it in an email to members last month as the standards took effect, according to a copy of the message viewed by CNBC.—
Kate Rogers,
CNBC,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The hiker aesthetic is rounded out with hardware trims on the Ghillie laces and a warm faux-fur lining.—
Karla Rodriguez,
Footwear News,
11 Feb. 2026
-
For bird lovers who want to recreate this whimsical display, fill a medium-size pot with about three-quarters full with potting mix, then place a faux bird's nest from the crafts shop on top (lightly fill it with potting mix as well).—
Miranda Crowell,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The Dilbert principle — traced back to a quote in a 1995 strip — posited that managers and higher-ups are actually successful morons whose stubbornness is confused for real leadership qualities.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
13 Jan. 2026
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Overwhelmingly, though, the most common response was to seek confirmation of their suspicions that Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers were morons.—
Rosa Lyster,
Harpers Magazine,
30 Dec. 2025
Noun
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The exhibition is punctuated by large-scale installations including male mannequins performing spectacular stunts atop moving boxes (58% Poliéster, 2025) and schoolbags dropped on the floor as if teenagers had just left the room (Para baixo MUITO, or Down VERY MUCH, 2025).—
K. Desbouis,
Artforum,
6 Feb. 2026
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Through throwback posts, people have been traveling back to the year when dog and flower crown Snapchat filters, Instagram eyebrows, the mannequin challenge and the Chainsmokers were everywhere.—
Kailyn Brown,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Fitch, driven to preserve the friendship and her memories, spent years building a one-third-scale replica of Yo’s house, a process documented in the film YO (Love Is a Rebellious Bird), directed by Fitch and Banker White.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
11 Feb. 2026
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There’s a Gatsby-esque lighthouse replica prominent in the Spa’s main foyer.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Ideal for the ultimate no-makeup makeup look, for which Westman is known, the innovative blush harnesses biomimicry pigment technology, which lessens the risk of inflammation by encapsulating the synthetic pigments in the blush.—
Jenny Berg,
Vogue,
9 Feb. 2026
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And the best way to sidestep that is by picking a pair of socks made from a moisture-wicking blend—ideally a combination of merino wool (at least 50 percent) and synthetic materials.—
Jonathan Thompson,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dummy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dummy. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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