1
as in emulating
to use (someone or something) as the model for one's speech, mannerisms, or behavior
teenage musicians who imitate whichever rock stars are hot
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2
as in parodying
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 copying
to make an exact likeness of
a second-rate artist who was notorious for imitating the works of other painters
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Recent Examples of imitating
Life is officially imitating art for Dani Rojas from Ted Lasso.
—
Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 13 May 2026
The contest aims to challenge negative stereotypes of seagulls, which are often seen as a nuisance, by imitating them, per local network WTV.
—Adam England, PEOPLE, 29 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
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
The upcoming season of Nobody Wants This includes a bit more art imitating life after Timothy Simons‘ recent hair experiment.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 11 Apr. 2026
Two years later, in a case of life imitating art, Michele realized her dreams of playing Fanny Brice on Broadway — much like Rachel Berry — replacing Beanie Feldstein in the revival of Funny Girl.
—James Mercadante, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Apr. 2026
Instead of imitating other instruments and conforming to conventional musical ideas, Buchla (and Ciani) set out to create a paradigm based on harnessing the flow of electricity itself.
—Andrew Ryce, Pitchfork, 9 Apr. 2026
In the clip Miller says a lot without naming names and without directly addressing the life-imitating-art of it all.
—Sam Reed, Glamour, 8 Apr. 2026
Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 13 May 2026
The contest aims to challenge negative stereotypes of seagulls, which are often seen as a nuisance, by imitating them, per local network WTV.
—Adam England, PEOPLE, 29 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
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
The upcoming season of Nobody Wants This includes a bit more art imitating life after Timothy Simons‘ recent hair experiment.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 11 Apr. 2026
Two years later, in a case of life imitating art, Michele realized her dreams of playing Fanny Brice on Broadway — much like Rachel Berry — replacing Beanie Feldstein in the revival of Funny Girl.
—James Mercadante, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Apr. 2026
Instead of imitating other instruments and conforming to conventional musical ideas, Buchla (and Ciani) set out to create a paradigm based on harnessing the flow of electricity itself.
—Andrew Ryce, Pitchfork, 9 Apr. 2026
In the clip Miller says a lot without naming names and without directly addressing the life-imitating-art of it all.
—Sam Reed, Glamour, 8 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for imitating
Verb
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For today’s decision-makers, emulating his lens—a rare blend of childlike wonder and clear-eyed realism—is essential to any progress.—
Prince Harry,
Time,
7 May 2026
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The plot is little more than an excuse to string together a series of fight scenes, emulating the experience of playing the games.—
Brendan Morrow,
USA Today,
7 May 2026
Verb
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Regardless, everyone approves of Kiana, with Zack good-naturedly parodying her sunglasses and the girls encouraging him to lock it down despite the tumultuous relationships their friend group seems to attract.—
Ile-Ife Okantah,
Vulture,
7 May 2026
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Influencer comedians like Madison Humphrey and Mitsy Sanderson have built large platforms parodying awkward moments.—
Rachel Hale,
USA Today,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Companies brought design in-house, copying IDEO’s approach without needing to hire the agency.—
Nicholas Gordon,
Fortune,
16 May 2026
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Their other beers show how an American brewery can learn from Belgium without just copying it.—
Jim Dobson,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2026
Verb
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Additionally, those early on in their criminal career often try on their criminal identity by mimicking others’ crimes.—
Lorena O’Neil,
Rolling Stone,
11 May 2026
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The new framework addresses that issue by mimicking how the human brain predicts sensory feedback.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
8 May 2026
Verb
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Vargas reached out to Charles via a TikTok DM to request a donation, and Charles posted a video on the platform mocking her message.—
Dani Di Placido,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
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Three weeks after that self-mocking self-tape, a Mercedes-Benz was waiting outside one of Bournemouth’s student accommodation blocks.—
Lily Ford,
HollywoodReporter,
14 May 2026
Verb
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Antibiotics are medications designed to kill bacteria or stop bacteria from reproducing, including both harmful and beneficial bacteria.—
Ryan Brennan,
Sacbee.com,
15 May 2026
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Among other damage, the oil can essentially suffocate mangrove trees, interfere with hawksbill turtles’ and green sea turtles’ sense of smell that guides their navigation, and prevent fish from reproducing.—
Meghan Bartels,
Scientific American,
14 May 2026
Verb
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Athletes are always getting bigger, stronger, and faster, and doing ever more incredible things.—
Louisa Thomas,
New Yorker,
17 May 2026
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In doing so, Din becomes a traitor to his bounty hunter guild, led by Greef Karga (Carl Weathers).—
Brendan Morrow,
USA Today,
16 May 2026
Verb
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The company’s approach reflects a broader industry shift toward humanoid robotics, where replicating human hand dexterity is considered essential for practical deployment.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
12 May 2026
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Reaching that conclusion required somehow replicating the harsh realities of Venus right here on Earth.—
Emma Gometz,
Scientific American,
10 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Imitating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imitating. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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