1
as in emulating
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 parodying
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 copying
to make an exact likeness of
a second-rate artist who was notorious for imitating the works of other painters
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of imitating
The contest aims to challenge negative stereotypes of seagulls, which are often seen as a nuisance, by imitating them, per local network WTV.
—
Adam England, PEOPLE, 29 Apr. 2026
Another potential treatment route the study opens up is using machines to massage cancer cells, imitating the rhythmic beating of the heart.
—Anil Oza, STAT, 23 Apr. 2026
Life imitating art By the time Artemis astronauts begin assembling a real foothold at the Moon’s south pole, the blueprint will feel oddly familiar, at least to those sim addicts who have been dreaming of a functional moon colony for decades now.
—Alan Bradley, Space.com, 22 Apr. 2026
The upcoming season of Nobody Wants This includes a bit more art imitating life after Timothy Simons‘ recent hair experiment.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 11 Apr. 2026
Two years later, in a case of life imitating art, Michele realized her dreams of playing Fanny Brice on Broadway — much like Rachel Berry — replacing Beanie Feldstein in the revival of Funny Girl.
—James Mercadante, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Apr. 2026
Instead of imitating other instruments and conforming to conventional musical ideas, Buchla (and Ciani) set out to create a paradigm based on harnessing the flow of electricity itself.
—Andrew Ryce, Pitchfork, 9 Apr. 2026
In the clip Miller says a lot without naming names and without directly addressing the life-imitating-art of it all.
—Sam Reed, Glamour, 8 Apr. 2026
The gulls weren’t directly imitating the act of eating.
—Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Mar. 2026
Adam England, PEOPLE, 29 Apr. 2026
Another potential treatment route the study opens up is using machines to massage cancer cells, imitating the rhythmic beating of the heart.
—Anil Oza, STAT, 23 Apr. 2026
Life imitating art By the time Artemis astronauts begin assembling a real foothold at the Moon’s south pole, the blueprint will feel oddly familiar, at least to those sim addicts who have been dreaming of a functional moon colony for decades now.
—Alan Bradley, Space.com, 22 Apr. 2026
The upcoming season of Nobody Wants This includes a bit more art imitating life after Timothy Simons‘ recent hair experiment.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 11 Apr. 2026
Two years later, in a case of life imitating art, Michele realized her dreams of playing Fanny Brice on Broadway — much like Rachel Berry — replacing Beanie Feldstein in the revival of Funny Girl.
—James Mercadante, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Apr. 2026
Instead of imitating other instruments and conforming to conventional musical ideas, Buchla (and Ciani) set out to create a paradigm based on harnessing the flow of electricity itself.
—Andrew Ryce, Pitchfork, 9 Apr. 2026
In the clip Miller says a lot without naming names and without directly addressing the life-imitating-art of it all.
—Sam Reed, Glamour, 8 Apr. 2026
The gulls weren’t directly imitating the act of eating.
—Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for imitating
Verb
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Shoppers are emulating the late tastemaker’s look with clean silhouettes, neutral basics and of course that thick tortoiseshell headband.—
Brittany Talarico,
PEOPLE,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Google may be emulating that strategy.—
James Peckham,
PC Magazine,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Influencer comedians like Madison Humphrey and Mitsy Sanderson have built large platforms parodying awkward moments.—
Rachel Hale,
USA Today,
25 Apr. 2026
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Heidecker — the mind behind projects including The Tim and Eric Show and On Cinema — has been parodying Jones for years.—
Rolling Stone,
Rolling Stone,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
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An aspiring author had sent Hoover their manuscript, also copying a fraudulent email impersonating Hoover on the email chain.—
Clare Mulroy,
USA Today,
25 Apr. 2026
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Ding has become known for his understated reactions and his small wave during introductions, which fans have begun copying at home.—
Ashley Hume,
FOXNews.com,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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People in the entertainment industry have slammed AI for mimicking artists’ voices and likenesses.—
Daniel Wine,
CNN Money,
28 Apr. 2026
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Wiseman hypothesized that stronger magnetic fields may affect the brain, similar to how electrical stimulation of the angular gyrus can make one feel as if there is another person standing behind, mimicking one’s movements.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Punk then resorted to mocking Reigns.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
20 Apr. 2026
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In non-CinemaCon news, the looksmaxx influencer managed to unite the internets in mocking his dew-eyed meltdown and interview walk-off over being asked modestly difficult questions about his reputation (instead of being asked, say, which moisturizer is best for post-jaw hammering).—
James Hibberd,
HollywoodReporter,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Five years later teams around the world are reproducing that approach at a fraction of the cost.—
Deni Ellis Béchard,
Scientific American,
22 Apr. 2026
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The toucans are building stable, reproducing populations within urban spaces — using city green areas as reliable sources of food and shelter.—
Ryan Brennan,
Charlotte Observer,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Foo Fighters, pretty much the definition of a major international 21st century rock band, is doing a pop-up show in Bridgeport.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
25 Apr. 2026
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What Laura is doing is really important, but other things are really important to her.—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Ahead of taking on the task of replicating Michael's legendary voice and performing skills, Jaafar practiced for hours on end to sing as Michael.—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
25 Apr. 2026
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Fusion – replicating the power of the sun – has made major advances over the past few years.—
Ella Nilsen,
CNN Money,
23 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Imitating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imitating. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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