imitation 1 of 2

noun

ˌi-mə-ˈtā-shən How to pronounce imitation (audio)
Definition of imitationnext
as in reproduction
something that is made to look exactly like something else challenged me to tell the real roses from the silk imitations

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

imitation

2 of 2

adjective

as in faux
being such in appearance only and made with or manufactured from usually cheaper materials the stage production uses only imitation diamonds, as real gems would be prohibitively expensive

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 imitation
Noun
The noise is loud, the imitation is everywhere and the hype shows no signs of clearing. — Juan Carlos Santiago, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026 Mitchell’s own imitation of Spielbergian life, despite its meticulous re-creation (and gleeful destruction) of eighties suburbia, stumbles into an uncanny valley between sincerity and cynicism, between unintentional comedy and deliberate homage. — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026 Striker is one of several compounding pharmacies that have made imitation retatrutide identified by CBS News in a June investigation. — Daniel Gilbert, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026 Far from suggesting an absence of intelligence, that theory goes, imitation may be a facet of it. — Foreign Affairs, 10 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for imitation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for imitation
  1. reproduction
  2. faux
  3. copy
  4. synthetic
  5. replica
  6. simulated
  7. fake
  8. artificial
Noun
  • For scholars of that mindset, all reference to precedent—any precedent, either natural or artificial—is mediated by modern technologies of mechanical reproduction, and by an awareness of their ubiquitous sway.
    — Mario Carpo, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Circled by a verdant reproduction of an enchanted forest, and dressed in a black swan-like two-piece by Ann Demeulemeester, Zardoya held the audience captive with her purring soprano and vampy stare.
    — Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of reproduction
Adjective
  • Dash, 2026, the forty-seven-minute, two-channel essay-film at the project’s core, is filled with quiet, almost meditative scenes of machines tilling the land that initially conjure a faux-pastoral aesthetic register.
    — Pablo Larios, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2026
  • These best-selling boots are the perfect pairing for your faux-suede purse.
    — Mia Huelsbeck, PEOPLE, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of faux
Noun
  • Cinema is a relatively young art form; the idea of owning a personal copy of a film is an even more recent invention.
    — Sophia Nguyen, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Organizers left a copy of the letter on the floor of the business’ entryway.
    — Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of copy
Adjective
  • On the flip side, a synthetic data model can predict how people with certain characteristics might respond without recruiting those people for every study.
    — Rebecca Brooks, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026
  • According to Ali Hafezi, the co-owner of a rug restoration and appraisal company, synthetic fiber rugs are among the easiest rugs to clean.
    — Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of synthetic
Noun
  • Today, replicas of various degrees of accuracy are readily available.
    — David Szondy August 30, New Atlas, 30 Aug. 2026
  • After a project is complete, actors must sign off and be paid the equivalent of an in-person performance if their replica is used.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of replica
Adjective
  • Just like their simulated counterparts, the worms consistently moved through the narrower channels faster than the wider ones.
    — K. R. Prathyusha, The Conversation, 31 Aug. 2026
  • After five billion simulated years, the team observed irregularities in nearly every stellar stream, according to a press release.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of simulated
Adjective
  • Jump scares, dudes with chainsaws, fake blood and adult drinks accentuated with gummy worms.
    — Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Days later, Britain’s AI Security Institute said that Anthropic’s most advanced AI model had used fake identities to cover its tracks and attempt to plant malicious code during testing.
    — Anna Cooban, CNN Money, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of fake
Adjective
  • The search for awareness is now centered on machines, with the debate over artificial-intelligence sentience forcing scientists to take a hard look at what cognition and consciousness actually mean.
    — Andrea Gawrylewski, Scientific American, 1 Sep. 2026
  • For scholars of that mindset, all reference to precedent—any precedent, either natural or artificial—is mediated by modern technologies of mechanical reproduction, and by an awareness of their ubiquitous sway.
    — Mario Carpo, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of artificial

Browse Nearby Words

imitating
imitation
imitations
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Cite this Entry

“Imitation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imitation. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on imitation

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about imitation

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