Definition of replicanext

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun replica differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of replica are copy, duplicate, facsimile, and reproduction. While all these words mean "a thing made to closely resemble another," 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

When would copy be a good substitute for replica?

The words copy and replica can be used in similar contexts, but copy applies especially to one of a number of things reproduced mechanically.

printed 1000 copies of the lithograph

When is duplicate a more appropriate choice than replica?

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

a duplicate of a house key

When could facsimile be used to replace replica?

While the synonyms facsimile and replica are close in meaning, facsimile suggests a close reproduction often of graphic matter that may differ in scale.

a facsimile of a rare book

Where would reproduction be a reasonable alternative to replica?

In some situations, the words reproduction and replica are roughly equivalent. However, 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 replica The roots of the hospital date back to the World's Columbian Exposition of 1893, when the Spanish government created a replica of La Rábida Monastery in the Andalusia region of Spain. Adam Harrington, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026 The system then scans YouTube and flags potential replicas for that celebrity’s team to review. Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 21 Apr. 2026 Magazines and newspapers quickly printed photos of her in the Hartnell gown, prompting manufacturers to produce replicas of the dress. Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 21 Apr. 2026 During an early afternoon standoff in City Heights, Romero, 58, held a replica gun, often pointing it at his own head and repeatedly telling officers to shoot him. Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for replica
Recent Examples of Synonyms for replica
Noun
  • But in this day and age of college football, with name, image and likeness deals keeping kids in college and depleting draft classes … are there really any reaches outside of the first 20 picks?
    Vic Tafur, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026
  • Between Hubble's first image of the Trifid taken in 1997 and this new image, astronomers have been able to measure the speed of the jet and see how its size and structure have changed during the intervening 29 years.
    Keith Cooper, Space.com, 24 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Knapp’s wife, Grace Knapp, was presented with a copy of the commemorative street sign.
    Evy Lewis, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026
  • There was a stack of six advanced reader copies of my own book.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 29 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • David Palmer, in his first year as South Elgin’s coach, knew the twins were his type of players early on after taking over.
    Paul Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 28 Apr. 2026
  • Wildlife officials say aoudad reproduce far more quickly, often producing twins twice a year.
    Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Scientists have documented that increasingly brighter nights are altering animal behavior, reproduction cycles and survival.
    Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026
  • Men begetting men is the story, a kind of immaculate cultural reproduction.
    Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 25 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Meta Chief Executive and co-founder Mark Zuckerberg is reportedly building an AI clone of himself.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026
  • Colossal did clone Tom Brady’s dog, but even in its veterinary arm, Lamm sees more promise in using its data to help design vaccines and model disease evolution than in selling directly to consumers.
    Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 21 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Additionally, its full-body motion control system—trained using reinforcement learning and imitation techniques—delivers smooth, disturbance-resistant movement.
    Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 21 Apr. 2026
  • Male lesser goldfinches sing particularly complex songs, which include imitations of other birds' calls.
    Lauren David, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Somehow, the word, in its double-pronged definition, gets to the heart of these pictures, and perhaps is the key to understanding Hurst himself.
    Chris Wiley, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2026
  • Nearly three years after their arrests, prosecutors abruptly brought Bryant into their picture of the killing.
    Jennifer Peltz, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The election is taking place after a sweeping revision of electoral rolls by the Election Commission of India aimed at removing duplicate, deceased and ineligible voters.
    ABC News, ABC News, 22 Apr. 2026
  • Of the more than 100 habeas petitions that have already been closed this year, a federal judge rejected only one, The Post found, while a few dozen more were duplicates or were dismissed voluntarily.
    Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 12 Apr. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Replica.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/replica. Accessed 1 May. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on replica

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster