facsimile

noun

fak-ˈsi-mə-lē How to pronounce facsimile (audio)
Definition of facsimilenext
1
as in replica
something or someone that strongly resembles another the family resemblance is so strong that the boy is virtually a pint-size facsimile of his father

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in copy
something that is made to look exactly like something else this is not an antique copy of the Declaration of Independence but a modern facsimile

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun facsimile differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of facsimile are copy, duplicate, replica, and reproduction. While all these words mean "a thing made to closely resemble another," facsimile suggests a close reproduction often of graphic matter that may differ in scale.

a facsimile of a rare book

When is it sensible to use copy instead of facsimile?

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

printed 1000 copies of the lithograph

When can duplicate be used instead of facsimile?

The synonyms duplicate and facsimile are sometimes interchangeable, but duplicate implies a double or counterpart exactly corresponding to another thing.

a duplicate of a house key

When might replica be a better fit than facsimile?

Although the words replica and facsimile have much in common, 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

In what contexts can reproduction take the place of facsimile?

While in some cases nearly identical to facsimile, reproduction implies an exact or close imitation of an existing thing.

reproductions from the museum's furniture collection

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 facsimile Playing as a hi-res facsimile of Keanu Reeves on a Nintendo feels kind of revelatory in that regard. —Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 5 June 2025 What makes her fans stop this particular 28-year-old on the street, paint facsimiles of her freckles on their faces, and wait in line to buy her $20 smoothie collab at Erewhon? —Alessandra Codinha, Vogue, 20 May 2025 For those unfamiliar, digital twins in the healthcare context are essentially intricate facsimiles of people in the digital ether, constructed from medical records, biometric signals, genomic data and behavioral patterns. —Mika Newton, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025 Her facsimile of Maurizio Cattelan’s $6 million banana taped to a wall won a company prize at the Met. —Air Mail, 26 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for facsimile
Recent Examples of Synonyms for facsimile
  1. replica
  2. copy
  3. image
  4. reproduction
  5. twin
  6. picture
  7. clone
  8. portrait
Noun
  • The luxury real estate development was designed to emulate the City of Lights, featuring its own Arc de Triomphe, Champs-Élysées, and a 354-foot replica of the Eiffel Tower.
    — Celia Fernandez, CNBC, 13 July 2025
  • Season 3 ended on a major cliffhanger: Both the original Nathan and his replica were captured by evil tech billionaires, and only one of them survived.
    — Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 11 July 2025
Definition of replica
Noun
  • My mother gave me a copy of The Narrow Road to the Deep North by Matsuo Basho.
    — Rebecca Chace July 14, Literary Hub, 14 July 2025
  • To date, Kepler’s books have sold over 18 million copies worldwide.
    — Joe Otterson, Variety, 14 July 2025
Definition of copy
Noun
  • The authenticity of the images has not been confirmed, although Banks aired it all out to the public.
    — Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 15 July 2025
  • The trailer delivers a snapshot of images and visuals throughout Em’s career while he’s being peppered with popular questions from fans about his personal life, family, music and fame.
    — Michael Saponara, Billboard, 15 July 2025
Definition of image
Noun
  • An unconventional approach to reproduction is reportedly reducing the risk of metabolic disease.
    — Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 25 July 2025
  • Faced with the choice between reproduction and self-preservation… the females appear to be choosing the latter.
    — Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025
Definition of reproduction
Noun
  • Survivors include his wife, Maxine, an interior designer and artist; his children, Daisy, Doug, Sam and twins Jake and Zack; his grandchildren, Spencer, Jasper, Sienna, Ryan and Charlotte; and his daughters-in-law, Brett and Leah.
    — Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 21 July 2025
  • Smile sadly at her, his face an eerie twin of her own.
    — Mona Awad, New Yorker, 20 July 2025
Definition of twin
Noun
  • Actor Paddy Considine shared a picture of Osbourne on Instagram.
    — Marina Watts, People.com, 22 July 2025
  • For trucking cases where liability can hinge on a phone interaction seconds before impact, logical extraction provides an incomplete and potentially misleading picture.
    — Lars Daniel, Forbes.com, 22 July 2025
Definition of picture
Noun
  • Everyone knows the clones that served alongside General Obi-Wan Kenobi on Utapau, though.
    — Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 4 July 2025
  • Tatiana Maslany anchors this Canadian potboiler with her portrayal of about a dozen (give or take) clones all built from the same original.
    — Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 3 July 2025
Definition of clone
Noun
  • There’s also a portrait of an adult Dolly in the lobby on the opposite side of the lobby.
    — Robin Raven, Forbes.com, 26 July 2025
  • These stories are not portraits of strangers, but shared moments of recognition, care, and resistance.
    — Vogue, Vogue, 25 July 2025
Definition of portrait

Browse Nearby Words

facing up (to)
facsimile
facsimiles
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Cite this Entry

“Facsimile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/facsimile. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on facsimile

Nglish: Translation of facsimile for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about facsimile

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