IMITATE Synonyms: 72 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'imitate' distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of imitate are ape , copy , mimic , and mock . While all these words mean "to make something so that it resembles an existing thing," imitate suggests following a model or a pattern but may allow for some variation. // imitate a poet's style

Q: When is 'ape' a more appropriate choice than 'imitate'?

The words ape and imitate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, ape may suggest presumptuous, slavish, or inept imitating of a superior original. // American fashion designers aped their European colleagues

Q: Where would 'copy' be a reasonable alternative to 'imitate'?

The synonyms copy and imitate are sometimes interchangeable, but copy suggests duplicating an original as nearly as possible. // copied the painting and sold the fake as an original

Q: When is it sensible to use 'mimic' instead of 'imitate'?

The words mimic and imitate can be used in similar contexts, but mimic implies a close copying (as of voice or mannerism) often for fun, ridicule, or lifelike imitation. // pupils mimicking their teacher

Q: When could 'mock' be used to replace 'imitate'?

The meanings of mock and imitate largely overlap; however, mock usually implies imitation with derision. // mocking a vain man's pompous manner

imitate

verb

ˈi-mə-ˌtāt

Definition of imitate next

as in to emulate

to use (someone or something) as the model for one's speech, mannerisms, or behavior teenage musicians who imitate whichever rock stars are hot

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in to parody

to copy or exaggerate (someone or something) in order to make fun of imitating someone's stutter and laughing at them is a cruel thing to do

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in to reproduce

to make an exact likeness of a second-rate artist who was notorious for imitating the works of other painters

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word imitate distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of imitate are ape, copy, mimic, and mock. While all these words mean "to make something so that it resembles an existing thing," imitate suggests following a model or a pattern but may allow for some variation.

imitate a poet's style

When is ape a more appropriate choice than imitate?

The words ape and imitate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, ape may suggest presumptuous, slavish, or inept imitating of a superior original.

American fashion designers aped their European colleagues

Where would copy be a reasonable alternative to imitate?

The synonyms copy and imitate are sometimes interchangeable, but copy suggests duplicating an original as nearly as possible.

copied the painting and sold the fake as an original

When is it sensible to use mimic instead of imitate?

The words mimic and imitate can be used in similar contexts, but 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 imitate?

The meanings of mock and imitate largely overlap; however, 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 imitate One species—the superb fairy wren of Australasia—lures predators away from their young by making darting movements and squeaky sounds to imitate the behavior of a delectable mouse. —

Harvey Whitehouse, WIRED, 23 Jan. 2025 They’ll be annotated by Foster, in a spiky hand that some of his colleagues have learned to imitate. —

Ian Parker, The New Yorker, 20 Jan. 2025 Sometimes life imitating art can be a good thing, but for Milo Ventimiglia it's become a sobering experience. —

Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 10 Jan. 2025 But in non-biotech emerging industries, many billion-dollar entrepreneurs imitated the product but improved on the strategy. —

Dileep Rao, Forbes, 20 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for imitate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for imitate

Verb

In fact, the team took plenty of inspiration from the classic, trying to emulate its strafe-heavy combat, and that shows up in how players have to dodge enemy projectiles almost like a shmup.

— Gieson Cacho, The Mercury News, 24 Jan. 2025
Appleton teamed up with Color Wow to create a hair mask that emulates the ultra shiny hair he’s known for creating on his starlet clients.

— Kiana Murden, Vogue, 23 Jan. 2025