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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of imitating
Some of the most notable moments show Atlas imitating human emotional reactions.
—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
24 June 2026
To celebrate, Gazza lay down on the grass and opened his mouth wide, imitating the dentist’s chair that had got him and his team-mates into so much bother a few weeks earlier.
—
The Athletic Uk Staff,
New York Times,
18 June 2026
As a 7-year-old, I’d entertain my father’s friends, at their weekly pickup game at a Bronx barn-house gymnasium, by imitating his game face—bottom lip jutting, eyes scowling.
—
Sean Gregory,
Time,
14 June 2026
Carol Channing reduced Shalit to tears of laughter with her tale of a London dinner party with Lady Astor and Sir Benjamin Harrison by imitating the latter.
—
Chris Koseluk,
HollywoodReporter,
12 June 2026
Now, in a case of life imitating art, Cameron himself is being accused of corporate extraction by an Indigenous woman.
—
Petala Ironcloud,
Air Mail,
6 June 2026
In a case of life imitating art, this whodunnit explores the investigation behind her disappearance, strangely resembling one of Christie’s own novels, where everyone in her life becomes a suspect, including her brother, Monty (Trevena).
—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
1 June 2026
Zoe, born seven years later, grew up watching them, imitating them and wanting to be them.
—
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2026
So in that moment, life is imitating art a little bit.
—
Dave Quinn,
PEOPLE,
28 May 2026
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
24 June 2026
To celebrate, Gazza lay down on the grass and opened his mouth wide, imitating the dentist’s chair that had got him and his team-mates into so much bother a few weeks earlier.
—
The Athletic Uk Staff,
New York Times,
18 June 2026
As a 7-year-old, I’d entertain my father’s friends, at their weekly pickup game at a Bronx barn-house gymnasium, by imitating his game face—bottom lip jutting, eyes scowling.
—
Sean Gregory,
Time,
14 June 2026
Carol Channing reduced Shalit to tears of laughter with her tale of a London dinner party with Lady Astor and Sir Benjamin Harrison by imitating the latter.
—
Chris Koseluk,
HollywoodReporter,
12 June 2026
Now, in a case of life imitating art, Cameron himself is being accused of corporate extraction by an Indigenous woman.
—
Petala Ironcloud,
Air Mail,
6 June 2026
In a case of life imitating art, this whodunnit explores the investigation behind her disappearance, strangely resembling one of Christie’s own novels, where everyone in her life becomes a suspect, including her brother, Monty (Trevena).
—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
1 June 2026
Zoe, born seven years later, grew up watching them, imitating them and wanting to be them.
—
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2026
So in that moment, life is imitating art a little bit.
—
Dave Quinn,
PEOPLE,
28 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for imitating
Verb
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But beyond emulating his career, Daniel also wants to leave the kind of impact on others that his father has.
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In pursuit of achieving his dreams and emulating his hero Alberto Contador, Spain’s last Grand Tour champion, Ayuso has recently turned to self-help books.
Verb
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Lasso, in his initial introduction to audiences, wasn’t the warm, pun-loving, inspirational coach audiences would eventually embrace through Apple +, but a slightly arrogant buffoon parodying the average American sports fan.
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It's been 13 years since the last Scary Movie hit theaters in 2013, and the newest installment reverts to its roots in parodying a variety of movies and television shows.
Verb
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There’s no denying that Lola Tung has impeccable style—I’m constantly referencing her fierce street style looks—so copying her accessory of choice feels like a safe move.
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In June 2024, Sony Music, Universal Music Group and Warner Music Group sued the AI music services Suno and Udio, accusing them of copying sound recordings without permission to train their models.
Verb
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After the game, a disappointing loss to Côte d’Ivoire, some Ecuador fans asked their Ivorian counterparts to swap jerseys, mimicking a post-match tradition among players.
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And after celebrating by mimicking a fishing motion in honor of his Bass Pro Shops sponsor, Briscoe soaked it all in.
Verb
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Second lady Usha Vance mocking The New York Times for reading political significance into her Old Navy maternity dress and the New York Knicks celebrating their NBA title were featured in last week's News Quiz.
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This patriotic anthem of the American Revolution originated as a favorite tune of British soldiers, who enjoyed its lyrics mocking American colonists.
Verb
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According to the letter writer, the sea lions living and reproducing pups in the safety of La Jolla Cove should just go somewhere else along the very long California coastline.
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Facing long odds, Sydney commits to leading without reproducing the toxicity she’s witnessed from Carmy.
Verb
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The young man was doing LeBron James’ silencer celebration after scoring a goal one moment and being tagged with soccer’s equivalent of a Flagrant 2 the next — because of how one moment was assessed on tape delay.
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The city’s police department will be doing safety checks in the area as well.
Verb
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The kestrel's stability doesn't come from any single trick but from all these mechanisms working together simultaneously – and replicating that in a lightweight, low-cost platform is the real challenge.
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After some more tweaking and optimizing, the cell started growing and replicating its DNA.
Cite this Entry
“Imitating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imitating. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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