mimic 1 of 3

verb

Definition of mimicnext
1
as in to imitate
to copy or exaggerate (someone or something) in order to make fun of the comedian was famous for mimicking the President's distinctive lisp

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in to emulate
to use (someone or something) as the model for one's speech, mannerisms, or behavior began to learn their language by mimicking the sounds they made

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mimic

2 of 3

adjective

1
as in simulated
being such in appearance only and made with or manufactured from usually cheaper materials police were concerned that the mimic gun, although intended only as a toy, might be confused with the real thing in certain situations

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in imitative
using or marked by the use of something else as a basis or model a mimic battle fought by kids playing around in the schoolyard

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

mimic

3 of 3

noun

ˈmi-mik How to pronounce mimic (audio)
1
as in imitator
a person who imitates another's voice and mannerisms for comic effect a gifted mimic who can do a terrific imitation of anyone's voice

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2
as in mime
an actor in a story performed silently and entirely by body movements a mimic in black clothes and white facial makeup

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word mimic distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of mimic are ape, copy, imitate, and mock. While all these words mean "to make something so that it resembles an existing thing," mimic implies a close copying (as of voice or mannerism) often for fun, ridicule, or lifelike imitation.

pupils mimicking their teacher

Where would ape be a reasonable alternative to mimic?

While in some cases nearly identical to mimic, ape may suggest presumptuous, slavish, or inept imitating of a superior original.

American fashion designers aped their European colleagues

When would copy be a good substitute for mimic?

The words copy and mimic can be used in similar contexts, but copy suggests duplicating an original as nearly as possible.

copied the painting and sold the fake as an original

When could imitate be used to replace mimic?

The meanings of imitate and mimic largely overlap; however, imitate suggests following a model or a pattern but may allow for some variation.

imitate a poet's style

In what contexts can mock take the place of mimic?

In some situations, the words mock and mimic are roughly equivalent. However, mock usually implies imitation with derision.

mocking a vain man's pompous manner

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 mimic
Verb
These podcasts inevitably start to mimic reality TV, in providing both mindless entertainment and a deeply engaging connection to the talent. —Kyndall Cunningham, Vox, 10 Apr. 2025 By structuring investments through SPVs, nonprofits can mimic the startup model, rewarding those who help drive success without violating their nonprofit status. —Larry Bomback, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
These JLab earbuds come in 16 colors, including seven that closely mimic skin tones. —Dorian Smith-Garcia, Parents, 8 May 2024 In the clip, the mimic octopus impersonates one of these creatures, turning his tentacles into snake-like appendages that are the same colors as a sea krait. —Kelli Bender, Peoplemag, 11 Apr. 2024
Noun
The leather upholstery in my test car is embossed with elegant diamond patterns for the front- and second-row seats that the tasteful metal door trim mimics. —Doug Newcomb, PCMAG, 11 Dec. 2024 One part of his game that was top notch was his celebration — arms wide in a perfect mimic of Jude Bellingham’s goal celebration following his miracle overhead kick for England last Sunday. —Matthew Futterman, The Athletic, 5 July 2024 See All Example Sentences for mimic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mimic
  1. imitate
  2. emulate
  3. simulated
  4. imitative
  5. mime
  6. parody
  7. copy
  8. synthetic
Verb
  • Moreover, these models can imitate individuals' or industries' writing styles and wording.
    — Kevin Korte, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
  • This is how and why cinema could shatter the Aristotelian unities, resurrect orality in the age of literacy, and become the technological medium par excellence imitated by new mediums like video games and VR.
    — Big Think, Big Think, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of imitate
Verb
  • Gibbs-White will do incredibly well to emulate De Bruyne’s level of production.
    — Thom Harris, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Nowhere is this attention to detail more felt than in the production design of the studio itself, which is intended to emulate great legacy companies like Paramount and Warner Bros., the latter of which stands in for the series’ fictional Continental Studios in exterior scenes.
    — Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of emulate
Adjective
  • Darvish will need at least a few full-intensity turns in the bullpen and some combination of two or three minor-league starts and simulated games before returning, which means his season debut would come no sooner than mid-May.
    — Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Apr. 2025
  • Watching Wyatt Russell navigate a literal house of horrors, continuously questioning the nature of the reality in front of his simulated eyes, is one of the series best examples of being trapped inside an idea as much as any physical place.
    — Steve Greene, IndieWire, 12 Apr. 2025
Definition of simulated
Adjective
  • The social self is avoidance-based, conforming, imitative, predictable, planned, and hardworking.
    — Ellen Choi, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025
  • Not surprisingly, Renaissance architects and writers ended up contriving very similar imitative strategies.
    — Mario Carpo, Artforum, 1 Feb. 2025
Definition of imitative
Noun
  • The message, transmitted close to the audience as dancers Jessica Fiala and Tamara Nadel mime a slow-motion, rolling of dice, is crystal clear: There are consequences to gambling with karma.
    — Lauren Warnecke, Chicago Tribune, 22 Mar. 2025
  • This, plus pitch-perfect line readings and a simple mime of holding a steering wheel, are all Larson needs to drop the audience right there in the car with him.
    — John Roy, Vulture, 25 Feb. 2025
Definition of mime
Verb
  • During her opening monologue, Madison — who was previously parodied by SNL cast member Heidi Gardner earlier in the season — poked fun at her stripper skills in the award-winning project.
    — Nicholas Rice, People.com, 30 Mar. 2025
  • Schiaparelli’s latest show took a more traditional turn, its goal to be making modernity out of antiquity, but up until this show, Daniel Roseberry has taken great care to make a body of work at Schiaparelli that honors and practically parodies the intricate details of human body features.
    — Aamina Inayat Khan, StyleCaster, 5 Mar. 2025
Definition of parody
Verb
  • Feel free to copy and paste it to your pre-baby-meeting group chats, or use it as a jumping off point for your own personal message.
    — Beth Ann Mayer, Parents, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Henrique then copied and pasted his Notepad notes into Copilot.
    — Michael Muchmore, PC Magazine, 6 Apr. 2025
Definition of copy
Adjective
  • Petrochemicals are used in products around us: plastic packaging is used for food, ammonia is used in fertilizers, synthetic rubber is used for tires, and many laundry detergents are used.
    — Simi Thambi​, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Fentanyl, the deadly synthetic opioid driving the nation's high drug overdose rates, is also caught up in another serious problem: misinformation.
    — Henry Larweh, NPR, 3 Apr. 2025
Definition of synthetic

Browse Nearby Words

mimetic
mimic
mimicked
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Cite this Entry

“Mimic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mimic. Accessed 20 Apr. 2025.

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