imitate

[im-i-teyt] / ˈɪm ɪˌteɪt /

VERB

pretend to be; do an impression of

Synonyms

STRONGEST

act like ape assume duplicate echo emulate impersonate mimic mirror mock pretend replicate reproduce resemble simulate

STRONG

Xerox affect borrow burlesque caricature clone copy counterfeit ditto falsify feign follow forge match mime parallel parody personate reduplicate reflect repeat sham spoof travesty

WEAK

be like carbon do like do likewise follow in footsteps follow suit look like model after pattern after play a part put on send up take off

Antonyms

STRONGEST

differ tell the truth

STRONG

disregard

WEAK

be original clash oppose reverse

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

On TV, comics imitate the bespectacled bachelor, joking a raised eyebrow from Velarde is enough to steady food prices.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 13, 2026

They also try to imitate Bigfoot "calls" as there is the belief Bigfoot can communicate through howl-like sounds or by knocking on trees.

From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026

AI can imitate some of that process, but it cannot truly replicate it.

From Salon • Mar. 30, 2026

In Chipotle’s case, Ells freely admits his muse was taquerías in San Francisco’s Mission District that prepped burritos in the assembly line manner and size his company would soon imitate.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 19, 2026

I loved to imitate them, even though I didn’t know what they were saying.

From "Ella Enchanted" by Gail Carson Levine

Vocabulary lists containing imitate

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The Watsons Go to Birmingham

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List 11

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