mimic 1 of 3

mimic

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adjective

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mimic

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noun

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as in mime
an actor in a story performed silently and entirely by body movements a mimic in black clothes and white facial makeup

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word mimic distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of mimic are ape, copy, imitate, and mock. While all these words mean "to make something so that it resembles an existing thing," mimic implies a close copying (as of voice or mannerism) often for fun, ridicule, or lifelike imitation.

pupils mimicking their teacher

Where would ape be a reasonable alternative to mimic?

While in some cases nearly identical to mimic, ape may suggest presumptuous, slavish, or inept imitating of a superior original.

American fashion designers aped their European colleagues

When would copy be a good substitute for mimic?

The words copy and mimic can be used in similar contexts, but copy suggests duplicating an original as nearly as possible.

copied the painting and sold the fake as an original

When could imitate be used to replace mimic?

The meanings of imitate and mimic largely overlap; however, imitate suggests following a model or a pattern but may allow for some variation.

imitate a poet's style

In what contexts can mock take the place of mimic?

In some situations, the words mock and mimic are roughly equivalent. 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 mimic
Verb
Current shark deterrent technologies often try to mimic nature, using electric fields, magnets, or even visual patterns to keep sharks at bay. Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 17 July 2025 Additionally, the students train on a table that mimics conducting an autopsy, taking them through all the systems parts of the body. Michelle L. Quinn, Chicago Tribune, 17 July 2025
Adjective
That is, the mimic leaves were longer, and less lobed. Ari Daniel, NPR, 14 Sep. 2024 Sting is also a mimic, able to copy Charlotte’s whistle, even though, as the slightly creepy would-be scientist living upstairs tells her, spiders don’t have vocal cords. Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 11 Apr. 2024
Noun
Creatures abound, such as a shape-shifting mimic disguised as a chest, and yes, of course there will be a dragon, here seen as a projection. Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2025 Males try to mate with infected mimics, females are drawn in by the performance, and the fungus passes silently between them all. Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 6 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for mimic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mimic
Verb
  • Perhaps the Lake Bluff streakers heard of those at CLC and wanted to imitate them.
    Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 23 July 2025
  • The park’s hub-and-spoke design has been copied by parks around the world, but the caliber of Disneyland’s craftsmanship wasn’t easily imitated.
    Eve Chen, USA Today, 18 July 2025
Verb
  • 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
  • While these days a voice recognition computer often listens to the trainees’ commands and reacts to them in real time, the FAA also hires people to operate as pilots on the other end of the radio to better emulate real-life situations.
    Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 11 July 2025
Adjective
  • During that appearance, Ohtani threw 22 pitches across five simulated plate appearances, with mostly cutters, sinkers and fastballs hovering around 94-95 mph and maxing out at 97 mph.
    Chris Lau, CNN Money, 18 July 2025
  • Experimental robots are already being used to test conducting autonomous exploration and multi-functional operations in the simulated lunar environment.
    Andrew Jones, Space.com, 17 July 2025
Adjective
  • Nautilus is bold in its changes to Captain Nemo’s story — new monsters, new villains — but imitative to other genre series in execution, and the vibe is a little didactic.
    Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 25 June 2025
  • The word was likely imitative of the deep humming sound male bees make.
    Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 25 May 2025
Noun
  • Once Phoenix and Colbert get close to the film, however, Phoenix mimes getting up to leave.
    Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 18 July 2025
  • As for populating those living Polaroids, dancers and mimes were hired so that they were better trained to stand still in the correct positions.
    Seija Rankin, HollywoodReporter, 4 June 2025
Verb
  • The Muppet Show was parodying a format that doesn’t exist anymore.
    Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 6 June 2025
  • Reno 911! is a mockumentary comedy series that parodies law enforcement and premiered on Comedy Central in 2003.
    Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 7 July 2025
Verb
  • Cartoon by Bruce Eric Kaplan Copy link to cartoon Copy link to cartoon Link copied Shop Shop Michael told me that his team was required to attempt to verify each target: examining video footage from drones, listening to telephone conversations.
    Dexter Filkins, New Yorker, 14 July 2025
  • Lively’s team was also directed to make accommodations for Baldoni’s lawyers to print and copy documents.
    Gene Maddaus, Variety, 14 July 2025
Adjective
  • But there’s alignment between the parties on regulating deepfake pornography and synthetic child abuse material, which could kickstart a series of legislative actions, Sexton said.
    Rachyl Jones, semafor.com, 23 July 2025
  • The deadly synthetic opioid has been covered in books and research papers and articles, including many published by inewsource, the nonprofit San Diego newsroom where Self is the managing editor.
    Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Mimic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mimic. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

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