MOCK Synonyms: 355 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'mock' distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of mock are ape , copy , imitate , and mimic . While all these words mean "to make something so that it resembles an existing thing," mock usually implies imitation with derision. // mocking a vain man's pompous manner

Q: When is 'ape' a more appropriate choice than 'mock'?

The synonyms ape and mock are sometimes interchangeable, but ape may suggest presumptuous, slavish, or inept imitating of a superior original. // American fashion designers aped their European colleagues

Q: When would 'copy' be a good substitute for 'mock'?

While the synonyms copy and mock are close in meaning, copy suggests duplicating an original as nearly as possible. // copied the painting and sold the fake as an original

Q: Where would 'imitate' be a reasonable alternative to 'mock'?

Although the words imitate and mock have much in common, imitate suggests following a model or a pattern but may allow for some variation. // imitate a poet's style

Q: When is it sensible to use 'mimic' instead of 'mock'?

While in some cases nearly identical to mock , mimic implies a close copying (as of voice or mannerism) often for fun, ridicule, or lifelike imitation. // pupils mimicking their teacher

mock 1 of 3

verb

ˈmäk

Definition of mock

as in to parody

to copy or exaggerate (someone or something) in order to make fun of team members good-naturedly mocked the coach's familiar bellow

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as in to ridicule

to make (someone or something) the object of unkind laughter the fashion gurus loved to mock the famous couple for their unsophisticated clothes

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to disobey

to go against the commands, prohibitions, or rules of a person willing to mock the religious prohibition against working on the Sabbath

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

mock

2 of 3

adjective

as in faux

being such in appearance only and made with or manufactured from usually cheaper materials mock turtle soup

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in fake

lacking in natural or spontaneous quality since I had inadvertently learned what I was getting, I opened the present with mock surprise

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

mock

3 of 3

noun

as in joke

a person or thing that is made fun of they made a mock of the new recruit in front of the whole unit

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in copy

something that is made to look exactly like something else obviously, the "priceless" Grecian urn that is destroyed in the movie was a mock

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word mock distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of mock are ape, copy, imitate, and mimic. While all these words mean "to make something so that it resembles an existing thing," mock usually implies imitation with derision.

mocking a vain man's pompous manner

When is ape a more appropriate choice than mock?

The synonyms ape and mock are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 mock?

While the synonyms copy and mock are close in meaning, copy suggests duplicating an original as nearly as possible.

copied the painting and sold the fake as an original

Where would imitate be a reasonable alternative to mock?

Although the words imitate and mock have much in common, imitate suggests following a model or a pattern but may allow for some variation.

imitate a poet's style

When is it sensible to use mimic instead of mock?

While in some cases nearly identical to mock, mimic implies a close copying (as of voice or mannerism) often for fun, ridicule, or lifelike imitation.

pupils mimicking their teacher

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 mock

Verb

Sexualizing black women and casually mocking working class women is not accepted anymore. — James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 28 Aug. 2026 Thousands of comments flooded the post mocking the department for spending its time on such a trivial matter. — Frank Landymore, Futurism, 27 Aug. 2026

Adjective

Keep reading for mock neck sweaters inspired by the lifestyle mogul on Amazon starting at $24. — Melony Forcier, PEOPLE, 25 Aug. 2026 Students are able to participate in industry field trips, job shadowing, career mentoring, mock interviewing, and potential internship or externship opportunities. — Brett Barrouquere, Arkansas Online, 24 Aug. 2026

Noun

That said, 18 of the 32 players in last year’s early mock were drafted in the first three rounds last week, including 12 in the first round. — Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026 So instead, Kimmel presented his own schtick, appearing on a mock set at the Washington Hilton with clips of the president and others in the crowd, some looking none too happy. — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 24 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for mock

Recent Examples of Synonyms for mock

Verb

Over two months, the protesters and their supporters – most who appeared to be digitally-savvy GenZ – used Instagram and Snapchat to connect, organize, and share countless reels parodying the government.

— Omkar Khandekar, NPR, 2 Sep. 2026
The Onion, meanwhile, has set up its own Infowars webpage on its website, running videos of shows parodying Jones.

— Jim Vertuno, Fortune, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of parody

Verb

Paris’ Eiffel Tower, for instance, was ridiculed for decades before becoming arguably one of the most iconic and well-loved pieces of architecture in the world.

— Colette Davidson, Christian Science Monitor, 1 Sep. 2026
Digital advertising has long been the cash cow for other big tech companies like Google and Meta, but OpenAI's move was ridiculed by its chief rival, Anthropic, which made OpenAI's ad push the focus of its first Super Bowl campaign.

— Ashley Capoot, CNBC, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of ridicule

Verb

Jeanie Buss also wants proof that Joey and Janie Buss disobeyed the 2017 court order, along with an order requiring them to show cause of why they should not be held in contempt of court.

— Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 28 Aug. 2026
The violations are disobeying orders and conduct unbecoming an officer.

— Charlie D'Agata, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of disobey

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

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

Verb

In any event, there’s difficult-to-imitate value in how Planet of the Apes begins as a simple adventure film and winds up touching upon issues of prejudice, social inequality, and nuclear annihilation.

— Jesse Hassenger, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Sep. 2026
One year later, Clooney, 65, is back at the Venice Film Festival for a spin in the spotlight on the opening night for a bit of life imitating art.

— Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of imitate

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moccasins

mock

mocked

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Mock.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mock. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of mock

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