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
  • A lot of people emulate some sort of legacy in order to shake the purse strings of their audience.
    — Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 23 May 2025
  • Who wants their grandchildren to emulate such limited vocabulary, negative language and divisive rhetoric?
    — Christine Ledbetter, Chicago Tribune, 22 May 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
  • Government officials believe the impersonator used artificial intelligence to copy Wiles' voice for calls.
    — Jordan King Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 May 2025
  • Many voters in Argentina believed that firm action was needed to correct course on Argentina’s deeply unstable economy; now, other leaders in Latin America, Europe, and the U.S. are seeking to copy Milei’s chainsaw approach to public spending.
    — Christine Ro, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
Definition of copy
Verb
  • Gervais also mocked himself during his acceptance speech.
    — Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 31 May 2025
  • A week later, Rogan mocked Hawass and weighed in again on skeptical theories over who built the pyramids.
    — Amira El-Fekki‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 May 2025
Definition of mock
Verb
  • Beyond sustainability, there’s a raw beauty and integrity to these materials – the tonal variations in undyed wool, for example, add a depth and richness that can’t be replicated in synthetic alternatives.
    — Christopher Marquis, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025
  • Then, add to that what was used to replicate a vodka martini: A glass of water with onion in it.
    — Michael Schneider, Variety, 1 June 2025
Definition of replicate
Verb
  • South Korea’s new president should mimic Moon’s approach by pushing his national security staff and economic advisers to get into the weeds with their North Korean counterparts.
    — John Delury, Foreign Affairs, 3 June 2025
  • Known as hemoglobin vesicles, these particles mimic natural red blood cells and can carry oxygen efficiently.
    — Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 June 2025
Definition of mimic
Verb
  • One of his owners, Craig Leipold, did, back in January.
    — Pierre LeBrun, New York Times, 5 June 2025
  • Take a cooking break: These shortcuts do all the hard work for you.
    — Sabrina Weiss, People.com, 4 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 10 Jun. 2025.

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