DUPLICATE Synonyms: 158 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'duplicate' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of duplicate are copy , facsimile , replica , and reproduction . While all these words mean "a thing made to closely resemble another," duplicate implies a double or counterpart exactly corresponding to another thing. // a duplicate of a house key

Q: When is it sensible to use 'copy' instead of 'duplicate'?

The meanings of copy and duplicate largely overlap; however, copy applies especially to one of a number of things reproduced mechanically. // printed 1000 copies of the lithograph

Q: When can 'facsimile' be used instead of 'duplicate'?

Although the words facsimile and duplicate have much in common, facsimile suggests a close reproduction often of graphic matter that may differ in scale. // a facsimile of a rare book

Q: Where would 'replica' be a reasonable alternative to 'duplicate'?

While the synonyms replica and duplicate are close in meaning, 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

Q: When might 'reproduction' be a better fit than 'duplicate'?

While in some cases nearly identical to duplicate , reproduction implies an exact or close imitation of an existing thing. // reproductions from the museum's furniture collection

duplicate 1 of 3

adjective

ˈdü-pli-kət

Definition of duplicate

as in identical

resembling another in every respect duplicate copies of the portrait that were painted by the artist himself

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

duplicate

2 of 3

noun

ˈdü-pli-kət

as in image

something or someone that strongly resembles another doll carriages that are duplicates of baby carriages

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in copy

something that is made to look exactly like something else a duplicate of a house key

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

duplicate

3 of 3

verb

ˈdü-pli-ˌkāt

as in to copy

to make an exact likeness of art students trying to duplicate paintings in the museum's collection as part of their training

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to replicate

to make or do again we were unable to duplicate the experiment in our own lab, so we're suspicious

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in to double

to make twice as great or as many the recipe can be easily duplicated in order to feed a large family

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun duplicate differ from other similar words?

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

a duplicate of a house key

When is it sensible to use copy instead of duplicate?

The meanings of copy and duplicate largely overlap; however, copy applies especially to one of a number of things reproduced mechanically.

printed 1000 copies of the lithograph

When can facsimile be used instead of duplicate?

Although the words facsimile and duplicate have much in common, facsimile suggests a close reproduction often of graphic matter that may differ in scale.

a facsimile of a rare book

Where would replica be a reasonable alternative to duplicate?

While the synonyms replica and duplicate are close in meaning, 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 might reproduction be a better fit than duplicate?

While in some cases nearly identical to duplicate, 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 duplicate

Adjective

Customer records from the two legacy systems were never fully reconciled—some accounts carry duplicate IDs, others have mismatched address and usage histories. — Olufunsho Peters, Forbes.com, 2 Oct. 2026 Finally, under Performance, the photo cleaner offered to free up storage space by deleting duplicate photos and photos that, while not exact duplicates, are very similar. — Neil J. Rubenking, PC Magazine, 30 Sep. 2026

Noun

Another 258 entries were duplicates, with the same unauthorized videos reported multiple times. — Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 7 Oct. 2026 Finally, under Performance, the photo cleaner offered to free up storage space by deleting duplicate photos and photos that, while not exact duplicates, are very similar. — Neil J. Rubenking, PC Magazine, 30 Sep. 2026

Verb

Information was duplicated across five or six locations, sometimes appearing in slightly different configurations. — Megan Molteni, STAT, 2 Oct. 2026 Foster care leaders said the program duplicated existing services. — Justin Garcia, Miami Herald, 28 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for duplicate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for duplicate

Adjective

Last year, an investigation by Consumer Reports, Groundwork Collaborative and More Perfect Union found that shoppers on Instacart were shown different prices for identical products at the same stores.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2026
To test their hypothesis, the team set up their system in one of three identical chicken houses at the same commercial chicken farm in Sakarya.

— Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of identical

Noun

The image is then precision-fabricated into a 3D model that’s finished by hand — all for $2,200, about the national average of an actual wedding gown.

— Ari Stark, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
This sort of puzzling connection between text and image is repeated throughout the exhibition.

— Stephanie Wambugu, Vulture, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of image

Noun

Researchers at the company tested how AI models might act as computer worms, programs that move between devices and leave copies of themselves behind, among everyday household gadgets.

— Peter Hall, Scientific American, 15 Oct. 2026
The Miami Herald was unsuccessful in reaching Dorworth, but did reach his former attorney who asked for a copy of the lawsuit.

— Julie K. Brown, Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of copy

Verb

Made using flexible materials, the model reproduced important features of the natural stinger’s pumping cycle, helping confirm how the valves deform and squeeze past each other.

— Mike McRae October 12, New Atlas, 13 Oct. 2026
That would reproduce the operating model companies are trying to improve.

— Jason Wojahn, Forbes.com, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of reproduce

Verb

The tailoring brand was founded in Osaka in 1954 and got its start replicating Ivy League style.

— Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 12 Oct. 2026
The crisp exterior and savory undertone are hard to replicate with vegetable oil, and anyone who tries a side-by-side notices immediately.

— Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Charlotte Observer, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of replicate

Adjective

There is also a T-shirt, tank top and denim cap, each sporting similar artwork.

— Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
But a key rationale for eligibility rules is to establish bright-line, predictable rules that should promote fair play and competition, with colleges, coaches and athletes treated similarly in similar situations.

— Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of similar

Noun

The Southern Alps are an almost exact replica of the Himalayas in terms of their lot formations and crevasse fields, according to Hiddleston.

— Tamara Southward, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Oct. 2026
The trio also talked about building a replica of the Young statue, which would be placed in the Renaissance Center once it is revamped.

— Carol Cain, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of replica

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duplexes

duplicate

duplicated

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Style

“Duplicate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/duplicate. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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