Thesaurus results for SIMULATE

Q: How does the verb 'simulate' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of simulate are affect , assume , counterfeit , feign , pretend , and sham . While all these words mean "to put on a false or deceptive appearance," simulate suggests a close imitation of the appearance of something. // cosmetics that simulate a suntan

Q: When can 'affect' be used instead of 'simulate'?

In some situations, the words affect and simulate are roughly equivalent. However, affect implies making a false show of possessing, using, or feeling. // affected an interest in art

Q: When would 'assume' be a good substitute for 'simulate'?

Although the words assume and simulate have much in common, assume often implies a justifiable motive rather than an intent to deceive. // assumed an air of cheerfulness around the patients

Q: Where would 'counterfeit' be a reasonable alternative to 'simulate'?

The words counterfeit and simulate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, counterfeit implies achieving the highest degree of verisimilitude of any of these words. // an actor counterfeiting drunkenness

Q: How is 'feign' related to other words for 'simulate'?

Feign implies more artful invention than pretend , less specific mimicry than simulate . // feigned sickness

Q: When is 'pretend' a more appropriate choice than 'simulate'?

The synonyms pretend and simulate are sometimes interchangeable, but pretend implies an overt and sustained false appearance. // pretended that nothing had happened

Q: When is it sensible to use 'sham' instead of 'simulate'?

The meanings of sham and simulate largely overlap; however, sham implies an obvious falseness that fools only the gullible. // shammed a most unconvincing limp

simulate

verb

ˈsim-yə-ˌlāt

Definition of simulate next

as in to pretend

to present a false appearance of cosmetics that simulate a suntan

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb simulate contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of simulate are affect, assume, counterfeit, feign, pretend, and sham. While all these words mean "to put on a false or deceptive appearance," simulate suggests a close imitation of the appearance of something.

cosmetics that simulate a suntan

When can affect be used instead of simulate?

In some situations, the words affect and simulate are roughly equivalent. However, affect implies making a false show of possessing, using, or feeling.

affected an interest in art

When would assume be a good substitute for simulate?

Although the words assume and simulate have much in common, assume often implies a justifiable motive rather than an intent to deceive.

assumed an air of cheerfulness around the patients

Where would counterfeit be a reasonable alternative to simulate?

The words counterfeit and simulate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, counterfeit implies achieving the highest degree of verisimilitude of any of these words.

an actor counterfeiting drunkenness

How is feign related to other words for simulate?

Feign implies more artful invention than pretend, less specific mimicry than simulate.

feigned sickness

When is pretend a more appropriate choice than simulate?

The synonyms pretend and simulate are sometimes interchangeable, but pretend implies an overt and sustained false appearance.

pretended that nothing had happened

When is it sensible to use sham instead of simulate?

The meanings of sham and simulate largely overlap; however, sham implies an obvious falseness that fools only the gullible.

shammed a most unconvincing limp

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 simulate This way, something like climate change was also simulated along other extreme events like volcanic eruptions or drought. —

Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 22 Jan. 2025 The drugs are self-injected once a week and help simulate hormones that slow digestion and curb appetite. —

Monica Cull, Discover Magazine, 21 Jan. 2025 This stage also involved fully animatronic replicas of Abbott’s head and hand to simulate bones and jaw breaking under Blake’s skin. —

Bill Desowitz, IndieWire, 20 Jan. 2025 While helpful in addressing data scarcity and simulating scenarios, synthetic data can amplify biases and inaccuracies, compounding existing risks in AI training. —

Jason Snyder, Forbes, 19 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for simulate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for simulate

Verb

As if any of us could be so arrogant as to pretend to play defense with the Reaper.

— Corey Buhay, Outside Online, 1 Feb. 2025
Now that the sports leagues and their media partners have all gone from pretending that gambling doesn’t exist to actively encouraging fans to risk a few bucks in the name of good, clean fun, Gavin’s disingenuous casino signage has mutated into a series of laughably affected PSAs.

— Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 31 Jan. 2025