1
as in mocks
to pretend to be (what one is not) in appearance or behavior
a school intruder was caught trying to impersonate a teacher
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in plays
to present a portrayal or performance of
interpreters at the living history museum impersonate figures who are known to have actually lived in the colonial town
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Recent Examples of impersonates
But only male pilots can apply—so Wooram goes full Twelfth Night and impersonates her twin brother Boram, with his blessing.
—
Literary Hub, 1 Apr. 2026
Like that video where Bryan Cranston impersonates Art Garfunkel at Central Park, and his bouffant gets bigger every time the camera cuts back.
—Mike Sutter, San Antonio Express-News, 25 Feb. 2026
Those that fear dust mites and other allergens will be pleased to know this $40 pick from Quince impersonates hotel luxury pillows without the goose down or the price point.
—Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 19 Feb. 2026
When an escaped Eleven finds her way to a diner (the image of a bald Brown in a hospital gown shoving fries into her mouth is indelible), Brenner’s team impersonates social services, kills the kind proprietor, but fails to apprehend her.
—Judy Berman, Time, 26 Dec. 2025
The scam impersonates Walmart and claims someone has made an expensive PS5 order through the user’s account.
—PC Magazine, 2 Dec. 2025
If targets dispute the claims, they are transferred to another caller, who impersonates Chinese law enforcement.
—Sam Stevenson, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Nov. 2025
Friedland then impersonates his grandmother’s South African accent, to Kind’s delight.
—Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2025
Brit star David Mitchell picked up a best actor nomination for his turn as a socially awkward puzzle-maker who impersonates his missing detective twin brother, in BBC hit Ludwig, with the show also scoring a best comedy nom.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 25 Sep. 2025
Literary Hub, 1 Apr. 2026
Like that video where Bryan Cranston impersonates Art Garfunkel at Central Park, and his bouffant gets bigger every time the camera cuts back.
—Mike Sutter, San Antonio Express-News, 25 Feb. 2026
Those that fear dust mites and other allergens will be pleased to know this $40 pick from Quince impersonates hotel luxury pillows without the goose down or the price point.
—Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 19 Feb. 2026
When an escaped Eleven finds her way to a diner (the image of a bald Brown in a hospital gown shoving fries into her mouth is indelible), Brenner’s team impersonates social services, kills the kind proprietor, but fails to apprehend her.
—Judy Berman, Time, 26 Dec. 2025
The scam impersonates Walmart and claims someone has made an expensive PS5 order through the user’s account.
—PC Magazine, 2 Dec. 2025
If targets dispute the claims, they are transferred to another caller, who impersonates Chinese law enforcement.
—Sam Stevenson, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Nov. 2025
Friedland then impersonates his grandmother’s South African accent, to Kind’s delight.
—Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2025
Brit star David Mitchell picked up a best actor nomination for his turn as a socially awkward puzzle-maker who impersonates his missing detective twin brother, in BBC hit Ludwig, with the show also scoring a best comedy nom.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 25 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impersonates
Verb
-
But her desperation seems exposed at Cupertino, too, where Little Tim mocks her for her dim suggestion that psychotherapists be deployed to the company’s Guangzhou factory to cool down a labor crisis.—
Scott Tobias,
Vulture,
26 Apr. 2026
-
While most of Hell mocks her goal, her devoted partner Vaggi, and their first test subject, adult-film star Angel Dust, stick by her side.—
Lexi Carson,
HollywoodReporter,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Again, Madueke plays short to Odegaard, with Havertz, White and Zubimendi moving towards the ball.—
Ahmed Walid,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
The Audacity creator Jonathan Glatzer and star Billy Magnussen, who plays wealthy tech CEO Duncan Park, took the stage at Deadline Contenders TV to talk about taking the tech monster lurking in the shadows and those responsible for its existence, and turning it into a comedy.—
Amanda Champagne-Meadows,
Deadline,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The pieces are all made from fade- and weather-resistant poly material, which even imitates the look of wood grain for a more stylish finish.—
Paige Bennett,
Better Homes & Gardens,
22 Apr. 2026
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Aristotle said that art imitates nature (ars imitatur naturam), and for centuries, many artists sought to imitate their subjects as realistically as possible.—
Andrey Mir,
Big Think,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Playing a young Michael is Juliano Krue Valdi, while Colman Domingo portrays patriarch Joe Jackson, who managed Michael and his brothers in the Jackson 5, and daughters Rebbie Jackson, La Toya Jackson and Janet Jackson.—
Jack Smart,
PEOPLE,
26 Apr. 2026
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Jaafar Jackson, the singer’s real-life nephew, portrays Michael Jackson in his acting debut, with Colman Domingo and Nia Long as parents, Joe and Katherine.—
Rebecca Rubin,
Variety,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
There’s a direct correlation between a president’s approval rating and the way his party performs at the midpoint of his term.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Though amateur, the choir often performs at festivals and events in Serbia and abroad.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The painting, a collaboration between the Glenview Art League, residents and Chicago artist Anne Farley Gaines, depicts a bridge on the North Branch of the Chicago River and will run parallel to the river.—
Jennifer Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2026
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Degrees of estrangement are common in dysfunctional families, and this book depicts their slippery, progressive nature.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In an oppositional reading, the reader understands the dominant ideology expressed in the text but rejects it and interprets the text in an alternative way.—
Shepherd Mpofu,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
27 Apr. 2026
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Like personal numerology, address numerology interprets the numbers in your address to uncover the vibrations of your living environment.—
Kristina McGuirk,
Better Homes & Gardens,
23 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Impersonates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impersonates. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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