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 Grenelle, located further west, offers swimming with direct views of the Eiffel Tower while facing a quarter-scale replica of the Statue of Liberty. Camille Knight, CNN Money, 4 July 2026 Plans to pitch a replica of George Washington’s Revolutionary War field headquarters tent on the lawn outside Independence Hall were scrapped because of the extreme heat. Rena Rowe, The Washington Examiner, 4 July 2026 The company doesn’t break out sales of individual products, but as of Thursday, Nike’s website had sold out of most adult sizes in both of the USMNT’s home and away jerseys, including both authentic and replica editions. Sara Germano, Sportico.com, 6 July 2026 Another replica flag steeped in American history was aboard the International Space Station from November 2014 through June 2015. Robert Pearlman, ArsTechnica, 6 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for replica
Recent Examples of Synonyms for replica
Noun
  • The flag was also draped over Khamenei’s casket in images published last week by his official X account.
    Xiaoqian Lin, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
  • Rodríguez Castro, the person said, projects a similar tough-guy image.
    Romina Ruiz-Goiriena, USA Today, 6 July 2026
Noun
  • The early copy remained tucked away in Britain’s National Archives until a volunteer cataloging records from the American Revolutionary War came across it in May among the papers of Royal Navy captains.
    Elmira Aliieva, NBC news, 3 July 2026
  • Julia Giarmoleo, an EPA spokesperson, said the monitors did not detect elevated metals, but would not provide a copy of the data without a federal records request.
    Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026
Noun
  • An Apple Valley woman who was pregnant with twins died in a crash Saturday.
    Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026
  • Then there’s the deeper penetration of digital twins (virtual factory replicas).
    Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 2 July 2026
Noun
  • Laser Projection Benefits Laser projectors offer significantly better image quality than units based on Xenon lamps, offering a higher light output, better color reproduction, greater contrast and an overall more uniform image.
    Benny Har-Even, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
  • Pollination is crucial to plant reproduction and the wider ecosystem that relies on plants as a food source.
    Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 29 June 2026
Noun
  • And that’s not counting the innumerable clones and knock-offs selling for half as much through Alibaba, Amazon and other direct-to-consumer (DTC) makers.
    William Roberson, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
  • The 56-year-old year old from Northern California scraped more than 100 of his mom’s TikToks to create an AI clone of his mom’s voice, with the help of ElevenLabs, a company that specializes in AI voice generation.
    Ella Chakarian, Rolling Stone, 28 June 2026
Noun
  • And the guy who loved John Wayne movies and came to do a fine imitation reckoned his should be in that spirit.
    Vahe Gregorian July 5, Kansas City Star, 5 July 2026
  • In fact, the pursuit of a truly American design style—one that turns away from imitation and toward exploration—has been a focus for architects since this country was founded.
    Elizabeth Fazzare, Architectural Digest, 4 July 2026
Noun
  • This picture taken on March 26, 2026 shows an oil tanker unloading crude oil at a port in Yantai, in China's eastern Shandong province.
    Justina Lee, CNBC, 6 July 2026
  • Your parents’ and grandparents’ faded photo family albums probably have similar pictures too.
    Tracy Stone-Manning, Denver Post, 6 July 2026
Noun
  • One-click cleanup tools automatically identify unnecessary duplicates while keeping important files protected.
    StackCommerce Team, PC Magazine, 1 July 2026
  • The point is to try to fill up the book, or at least the page, with your favorite team, and then to trade any duplicates or unwanteds with your friends.
    Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 30 June 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Replica.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/replica. Accessed 7 Jul. 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!