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View synonyms for imitate

imitate

[ im-i-teyt ]

verb (used with object)

, im·i·tat·ed, im·i·tat·ing.
  1. to follow or endeavor to follow as a model or example:

    to imitate an author's style; to imitate an older brother.

  2. to mimic; impersonate:

    The students imitated the teacher behind her back.

    Synonyms: mock, ape

  3. to make a copy of; reproduce closely.
  4. to have or assume the appearance of; simulate; resemble.


imitate

/ ˈɪmɪˌteɪt /

verb

  1. to try to follow the manner, style, character, etc, of or take as a model

    many writers imitated the language of Shakespeare

  2. to pretend to be or to impersonate, esp for humour; mimic
  3. to make a copy or reproduction of; duplicate; counterfeit
  4. to make or be like; resemble or simulate

    her achievements in politics imitated her earlier successes in business



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Derived Forms

  • ˌimitaˈbility, noun
  • ˈimiˌtator, noun
  • ˈimitable, adjective

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Other Words From

  • imi·tator noun
  • non·imi·tating adjective
  • over·imi·tate verb (used with object) overimitated overimitating
  • pre·imi·tate verb (used with object) preimitated preimitating
  • un·imi·tated adjective
  • un·imi·tating adjective
  • well-imi·tated adjective

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Word History and Origins

Origin of imitate1

First recorded in 1525–35; from Latin imitātus, past participle of imitārī “to copy,” presumably a frequentative akin to the base of imāgō image

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Word History and Origins

Origin of imitate1

C16: from Latin imitārī; see image

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Synonym Study

Imitate, copy, duplicate, reproduce all mean to follow or try to follow an example or pattern. Imitate is the general word for the idea: to imitate someone's handwriting, behavior. To copy is to make a fairly exact imitation of an original creation: to copy a sentence, a dress, a picture. To duplicate is to produce something that exactly resembles or corresponds to something else; both may be originals: to duplicate the terms of two contracts. To reproduce is to make a likeness or reconstruction of an original: to reproduce a 16th-century theater.

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Example Sentences

We are now to get angry simply when whites happily imitate something that minorities do.

The idea that when we imitate something we are seeking to replace it rather than join it is weak.

The point of art,” writes Eagleton, channeling the Romantics, “is not to imitate life but to transform it.

My first reaction upon finishing it was to imitate the unsinkable Ursula and begin all over again.

Then, between puffs of cigarette smoke, she began to imitate a mutual friend.

Whatever the species, it is well to imitate the natural conditions as much as possible in the way of soil.

Let us imitate the example of the Great Powers; they cannot exist alone, however strong and great they may be.

Inasmuch as the community is small, and all its inhabitants need the governor and are watching him, they will try to imitate him.

She had taken great pains with the table, trying to imitate Mrs. Perkins's, and the imitation was rather satisfactory to herself.

Her character became insensibly molded to their forms, and she was inspired with restless enthusiasm to imitate their deeds.

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