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 Upstairs, an equally large replica of the Xbox Series X console is covered in its creators’ signatures. — Sebastian Herrera, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026 The town ups the ante seasonally with its appreciation of the film, with details like a replica of Benny's Taxi and its annual Spirit of Halloweentown festival. — Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 20 Oct. 2026 The sparkler is a replica of an earlier piece, Town & Country reported. — Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 20 Oct. 2026 Imagine a perfect replica of a sprawling metropolis, a Tokyo or a São Paulo, engraved at atomic dimensions on a tile the size of a fingernail. — Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for replica
Recent Examples of Synonyms for replica
Noun
  • Aljafari is recognized for his distinctive cinematic practice exploring memory, history, identity and the politics of images.
    — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Rather than embrace the provocative image associated with some of her early roles, Portman maintained a more reserved public image.
    — Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 26 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Junior finance candidates at GoCardless used to be given a data set and a copy of Excel as part of the final round of testing.
    — Sam Birchall, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Officials hadn’t been served with a copy of the complaint as of Thursday afternoon.
    — Russell Lissau, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • The twins pleaded not guilty and have denied the allegations through their attorneys.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 20 Oct. 2026
  • The twins, Dallas, a girl, and Tyson, a boy, were 18 months old.
    — Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 20 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • This body of research forms some of the latticework of a social-reproduction theory of education, in which public schools are largely perceived as reflecting and reinforcing the socioeconomic structures of their surrounding community.
    — Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Bell replied in his usual jovial manner, agreeing to the reproduction of his photo in the forthcoming article.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Like Avril Lavigne and Jim Carrey, Selena Gomez has received her fair share of celebrity-clone-replacement allegations from online conspiracy theorists.
    — Isabella Albaig, Vulture, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Since its earliest days, the video game industry has been built on developers creating clones of competing games, with varying levels of originality and varying levels of enforcement from game platforms.
    — Kyle Orland, ArsTechnica, 19 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Instead, the rest of the world must learn from China without mistaking adaptation for imitation.
    — Ruby Wang, semafor.com, 27 Oct. 2026
  • The team that opened the season as the overwhelming favorite to win Super Bowl LXI continued to look like a cheap imitation.
    — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • As the Chicago meningococcal outbreak illustrates, health officials need a complete picture to protect people from disease and other threats.
    — Julie Morita, Time, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Indeed, Raad is best known for his own method of fabulation, marrying stories and pictures, imaginations and histories.
    — Emily Watlington, ARTnews.com, 25 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Out of the 20,000 names on the list, only 7,035 had addresses in Los Angeles County and some were duplicates, according to a separate Tuesday court filing by Los Angeles County Registrar Dean Logan.
    — Miles Parks, NPR, 21 Oct. 2026
  • The Election Commission and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration deny the allegations and say the revision is intended to remove duplicate and ineligible entries.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 16 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Replica.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/replica. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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