imitate

verb

ˈi-mə-ˌtāt How to pronounce imitate (audio)
Definition of imitatenext
1
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

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2
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
3
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 Some people are quite happy about that, mind you, and the Entity is being cheered on by a headbanger doomsday cult that — in a truly mind-blowing instance of art imitating life — has infiltrated the U.S. government and is causing chaos therein. —Damon Wise, Deadline, 14 May 2025 Located across from Civic Center Park, the 13-story building’s curvy, white-washed facade is reminiscent of the work embraced by Antoni Gaudí, the Catalan architect and early adopter of biomimicry, a design practice that imitates nature. —Jen Murphy, Outside Online, 10 May 2025 Its outputs would not be programmed to imitate or please humans, but rather reflect an interpretable causal understanding of the situation at hand. —Yoshua Bengio, Time, 9 May 2025 Walton imitated the big-box retail store and located them in small towns. —Dileep Rao, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for imitate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for imitate
  1. emulate
  2. parody
  3. reproduce
  4. copy
  5. mock
  6. replicate
  7. mimic
  8. do
Verb
  • The company is emulating a strategy recently put into place by rival Comcast.
    — Brian Steinberg, Variety, 9 June 2025
  • But this time Alcaraz emulated Novak Djokovic’s feat from the 2021 final at Roland-Garros, when the now 24-time major winner fought back from two sets down to beat Stefanos Tsitsipas.
    — Jerome Pugmire, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2025
Definition of emulate
Verb
  • The spaghetti example later became well-known enough that Smith parodied it almost a year later in February 2024.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 23 May 2025
  • Content Creators And Brand Ambassadors Gstaad Guy parades in Loro Piana, and the European Kid parodies luxury culture.
    — Matteo Atti, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025
Definition of parody
Verb
  • Zinnias are annual flowers—their life goal is to reproduce.
    — Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 7 June 2025
  • However, if there are errors in the data or methods of the original study, being able to reproduce its results may only ensure consistency but not scientific rigor.
    — H. Christopher Frey, The Conversation, 5 June 2025
Definition of reproduce
Verb
  • Not to be redistributed, copied, or modified in any way.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 12 June 2025
  • Gaddis copied documents onto a flash drive and shared it with an unnamed intermediary, the lawsuit says, and the next day the Tampa Bay Times wrote about the plans.
    — Kate Payne, Sun Sentinel, 11 June 2025
Definition of copy
Verb
  • Some right wingers will watch to mock the protesters or watch for signs of violence.
    — Chris Morris, Fortune, 14 June 2025
  • The Baloncesto Superior Nacional league announced Tuesday that Cousins was kicked off the Mets de Guaynabo after a vile gesture toward a fan, grabbing his genitals to mock the fan as the fan flipped both his middle fingers.
    — Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 11 June 2025
Definition of mock
Verb
  • However, in Condrieu, the grape achieves an expression that is difficult to replicate elsewhere.
    — Forbes.com, Forbes.com, 14 June 2025
  • Marketplace forces took hold once people figured out how to artificially replicate those waters.
    — Liza Weisstuch, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 June 2025
Definition of replicate
Verb
  • Think in terms of deepfakes, where video and audio can be created to mimic the real user.
    — Skip Sanzeri, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025
  • The audience at Pinewood Studios, where the show’s Christmas special was being filmed on Tuesday, was reportedly shocked when Walliams joined in to mimic the waves before holding his arm in a Nazi salute.
    — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 12 June 2025
Definition of mimic
Verb
  • Nothing complicated, but something the whole family can do together.
    — Hannah Nwoko, Parents, 16 June 2025
  • Below, 20 Forbes Business Council members discuss what companies can do now to ensure reliable supply chains in the future.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025
Definition of do

Browse Nearby Words

imitable
imitate
imitated
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Imitate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imitate. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.

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