REPRODUCTION Synonyms: 44 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of reproduction are copy , duplicate , facsimile , and replica . While all these words mean "a thing made to closely resemble another," reproduction implies an exact or close imitation of an existing thing. // reproductions from the museum's furniture collection

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

In some situations, the words copy and reproduction are roughly equivalent. However, copy applies especially to one of a number of things reproduced mechanically. // printed 1000 copies of the lithograph

Q: When would 'duplicate' be a good substitute for 'reproduction'?

The meanings of duplicate and reproduction largely overlap; however, duplicate implies a double or counterpart exactly corresponding to another thing. // a duplicate of a house key

Q: When could 'facsimile' be used to replace 'reproduction'?

The synonyms facsimile and reproduction are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 'reproduction'?

While the synonyms replica and reproduction 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

reproduction

noun

ˌrē-prə-ˈdək-shən

Definition of reproduction

as in copy

something that is made to look exactly like something else walked through a reproduction of the interior of the Parthenon as it must have looked when it was first built

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How does the noun reproduction differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of reproduction are copy, duplicate, facsimile, and replica. While all these words mean "a thing made to closely resemble another," reproduction implies an exact or close imitation of an existing thing.

reproductions from the museum's furniture collection

When might copy be a better fit than reproduction?

In some situations, the words copy and reproduction are roughly equivalent. However, copy applies especially to one of a number of things reproduced mechanically.

printed 1000 copies of the lithograph

When would duplicate be a good substitute for reproduction?

The meanings of duplicate and reproduction largely overlap; however, duplicate implies a double or counterpart exactly corresponding to another thing.

a duplicate of a house key

When could facsimile be used to replace reproduction?

The synonyms facsimile and reproduction are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 reproduction?

While the synonyms replica and reproduction 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

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 reproduction But the labs have not yet come calling for the reproduction pipeline, which will be shared on White Circle’s GitHub to help policymakers assess whether AI safety laws are needed to keep frontier labs in check. — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 14 Oct. 2026 But the biological consequences of this change beyond reproduction are murky at best. — Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 13 Oct. 2026 Traditional blade-style traps deliver strong performance but require manual assembly, making consistent reproduction difficult. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 13 Oct. 2026 The Spurs uniforms are a direct reproduction of the team's original home look from their early years in San Antonio. — Jon Root Outkick, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for reproduction

Recent Examples of Synonyms for reproduction

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

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

Browse Nearby Words

reproducing

reproduction

reproductions

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Reproduction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reproduction. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of reproduction

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