REPRODUCTION Synonyms: 44 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'reproduction' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of reproduction are copy , duplicate , facsimile , and replica . While all these words mean "a thing made to closely resemble another," reproduction implies an exact or close imitation of an existing thing. // reproductions from the museum's furniture collection

Q: When might 'copy' be a better fit than 'reproduction'?

In some situations, the words copy and reproduction are roughly equivalent. However, copy applies especially to one of a number of things reproduced mechanically. // printed 1000 copies of the lithograph

Q: When would 'duplicate' be a good substitute for 'reproduction'?

The meanings of duplicate and reproduction largely overlap; however, duplicate implies a double or counterpart exactly corresponding to another thing. // a duplicate of a house key

Q: When could 'facsimile' be used to replace 'reproduction'?

The synonyms facsimile and reproduction are sometimes interchangeable, but facsimile suggests a close reproduction often of graphic matter that may differ in scale. // a facsimile of a rare book

Q: Where would 'replica' be a reasonable alternative to 'reproduction'?

While the synonyms replica and reproduction are close in meaning, replica implies the exact reproduction of a particular item in all details, but not always in the same scale. // a replica of the Mayflower // miniature replicas of classic cars

reproduction

noun

ˌrē-prə-ˈdək-shən

Definition of reproduction next

as in copy

something that is made to look exactly like something else walked through a reproduction of the interior of the Parthenon as it must have looked when it was first built

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How does the noun reproduction differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of reproduction are copy, duplicate, facsimile, and replica. While all these words mean "a thing made to closely resemble another," reproduction implies an exact or close imitation of an existing thing.

reproductions from the museum's furniture collection

When might copy be a better fit than reproduction?

In some situations, the words copy and reproduction are roughly equivalent. However, copy applies especially to one of a number of things reproduced mechanically.

printed 1000 copies of the lithograph

When would duplicate be a good substitute for reproduction?

The meanings of duplicate and reproduction largely overlap; however, duplicate implies a double or counterpart exactly corresponding to another thing.

a duplicate of a house key

When could facsimile be used to replace reproduction?

The synonyms facsimile and reproduction are sometimes interchangeable, but facsimile suggests a close reproduction often of graphic matter that may differ in scale.

a facsimile of a rare book

Where would replica be a reasonable alternative to reproduction?

While the synonyms replica and reproduction are close in meaning, replica implies the exact reproduction of a particular item in all details, but not always in the same scale.

a replica of the Mayflower

miniature replicas of classic cars

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 reproduction Remember, plants produce flowers as a means of reproduction. —

Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 9 May 2026 An eBay seller claimed to have Jeffrey Epstein‘s reproduction of a painting by Kees van Dongen, a Dutch painter who became a part of the Fauvist movement in France during the early 20th century. —

Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 8 May 2026 Preventative measures during this time involve interrupting the reproduction process before populations can become pervasive. —

Kody Boye, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 May 2026 High reproduction and survival rates could result in a growing wolf population, Odell said. —

Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 7 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for reproduction

Recent Examples of Synonyms for reproduction

Noun

The album debuted at Number One on the Billboard 200 and brought in record-breaking first week sales, selling 641,000 total copies in its first week of release — the most by a group since Billboard started tracking streaming numbers in 2014 — including 532,000 in pure album sales.

— Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 20 May 2026
Virgin with Codex is your usual Flemish virgin—a loose copy of a 16th-century painting by an anonymous artist in the Courtauld Gallery’s collection.

— Emily Watlington, ARTnews.com, 20 May 2026

Definition of copy

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reproduction

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“Reproduction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reproduction. Accessed 23 May. 2026.

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