reduplication

noun

ri-ˌdü-pli-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce reduplication (audio)
Definition of reduplicationnext
1
as in reproduction
something that is made to look exactly like something else that old-looking colonial mansion is actually a 20th-century reduplication of the original, which was destroyed many years ago

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in repetition
the act of saying or doing over again ever since I was forced to do a reduplication of a day's work, I've been more conscientious about hitting my computer's "save" button

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 reduplication And yet…the rhyme schemes, the reduplication, the semantic shifts, the conversions, the deliberate grammatical oddities, and rich double entendres–Carpenter is, for some people, the greatest poet to have ever put pen to paper. — Daniel Rodgers, Vogue, 8 Oct. 2024 TikTok is a compound word that’s called (take a deep breath) an ablaut-shift reduplication because only the internal vowel changes. — Richard Lederer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Mar. 2024 The collection, dubbed with another fun reduplication, Bon Bon, was inspired by the packaging for the Apple AirPods. — Leilani Marie Labong, SFChronicle.com, 26 June 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reduplication
  1. reproduction
  2. repetition
  3. copy
  4. repeat
  5. replica
  6. imitation
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
Noun
  • Yayoi Kusama, whose obsessive repetitions of dots and nets became a means of expressing infinity, leaving an indelible mark on contemporary art worldwide, died on August 14 of multiple organ failure at a hospital in Tokyo.
    — Tessa Solomon for ARTnews, Robb Report, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Michelle Malkin, a gambling researcher at East Carolina University, emphasized how anticipation and rapid repetition mirror gambling mechanics.
    — Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of repetition
Noun
  • The subpoena sought hard drives, videos, forensic images, and other records related to the review by Cyber Ninjas, according to a copy obtained by Votebeat.
    — Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Throughout the 1920s and 1930s, the paper was circulated across the company’s dealership network, with many dealers putting a copy of the Independent in the glove box of every new car.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of copy
Noun
  • The funding bill passed by a 90-6 vote in the Senate, showing that lawmakers from both political parties want to avoid a repeat of the two historic shutdowns that occurred this past year.
    — Kevin Freking, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Oswego avoided sending the ball near the speedy Konkey on kickoffs to prevent a repeat of last week’s scoring on a return.
    — Jerry Birchfield, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of repeat
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
Noun
  • The suspect was carrying an imitation Glock-style pellet gun.
    — Tania Azhang, Sacbee.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • In the cold open of the first-season finale, the characters go through their backlog of snail mail, rushing through a series of updates on the show’s lingering story lines in imitation of a clip-show episode.
    — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of imitation

Browse Nearby Words

reduplicating
reduplication
reduplications
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on reduplication

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about reduplication

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Vol. 2 Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All