copy 1 of 2

noun

ˈkä-pē How to pronounce copy (audio)
Definition of copynext
as in reproduction
something that is made to look exactly like something else a copy of the famous painting "Washington Crossing the Delaware"

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

copy

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to reproduce
to make an exact likeness of for the movie, set designers copied the Oval Office in the White House down to the smallest detail

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to imitate
to use (someone or something) as the model for one's speech, mannerisms, or behavior she shamelessly copies her idol's hairstyle and fashion choices

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun copy differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of copy are duplicate, facsimile, replica, and reproduction. While all these words mean "a thing made to closely resemble another," copy applies especially to one of a number of things reproduced mechanically.

printed 1000 copies of the lithograph

When might duplicate be a better fit than copy?

While the synonyms duplicate and copy are close in meaning, duplicate implies a double or counterpart exactly corresponding to another thing.

a duplicate of a house key

When would facsimile be a good substitute for copy?

The words facsimile and copy can be used in similar contexts, 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 copy?

Although the words replica and copy have much in common, 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

In what contexts can reproduction take the place of copy?

The words reproduction and copy are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, reproduction implies an exact or close imitation of an existing thing.

reproductions from the museum's furniture collection

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 copy
Noun
The price per copy is $110,000, but buyers will be getting a highly specialized - and uniquely powerful - motorcycle that can hustle around a racetrack but still coddle the rider on a weekend getaway. — William Roberson, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025 By 1981, more than 2.5 million copies had been printed in Russian, and the books were translated into other languages of the Eastern Bloc. — Christin Bohnke, JSTOR Daily, 5 Mar. 2025
Verb
Other right-wing figures have copied the gesture in reference to Musk, including conservative political strategist Steve Bannon. — Ross Rosenfeld, Newsweek, 25 Feb. 2025 Elon Musk’s cost-cutting campaign has stoked fears about the data itself: that sensitive records might be mishandled, copied, leaked or lost. — Daniel De Visé, USA TODAY, 24 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for copy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for copy
  1. reproduction
  2. reproduce
  3. imitate
  4. replica
  5. replicate
  6. emulate
  7. render
  8. repeat
Noun
  • While this research is an important first step, future research will need to expand these datasets, use satellite tracking to follow potential neonate movement, and explore whether other environmental factors, such as deep-sea features or seasonal cycles, play a role in whale shark reproduction.
    — Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025
  • The exhibition at the Little Haiti Cultural Complex through Saturday, April 19, features reproductions rather than original artworks.
    — Jonel Juste, Miami Herald, 6 Mar. 2025
Definition of reproduction
Verb
  • No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
    — Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 14 Mar. 2025
  • No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher, Cake Eater will be released Dec. 30 and is available now for preorder, wherever books are sold.
    — Rachel Raposas, People.com, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of reproduce
Verb
  • Munn shared that the motion is a fidget of Mulaney's that Malcolm has learned to imitate.
    — Hannah Sacks, People.com, 12 Mar. 2025
  • Younger narwhals also tended to imitate the behavior of older ones, indicating that social learning could influence how narwhals use their tusks, according to the study.
    — Julianna Bragg, CNN, 8 Mar. 2025
Definition of imitate
Noun
  • Newsweek's analysis of Google Earth imagery shows that construction of the replica compound began sometime between mid-October and early November 2014.
    — Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 7 Mar. 2025
  • By bringing these artwork replicas to Little Haiti, the organizers hope to inspire a deeper appreciation for Haiti’s contributions to the global cultural landscape.
    — Jonel Juste, Miami Herald, 6 Mar. 2025
Definition of replica
Verb
  • The Knicks wanted to replicate the success Minnesota’s league-best defense found pairing Towns with a true defensive anchor in Rudy Gobert, a four-time Defensive Player of the Year.
    — Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 10 Mar. 2025
  • Focus On Replicating Human Problem-Solving Methods ​To combat AI bias, companies should focus on training AI systems to understand and replicate human problem-solving methods.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025
Definition of replicate
Verb
  • His approach was to emulate the spirit of i-D Magazine and its founder Terry Jones, who set up the title in 1980.
    — Hikmat Mohammed, WWD, 6 Mar. 2025
  • So, does this mean his approach is worth emulating in corporate life?
    — Greg Orme, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025
Definition of emulate
Verb
  • Despite this frustrating flaw, the software can render a fairly accurate design for those who want an overhead landscape plan of their garden.
    — The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Mar. 2025
  • Private fears become public and Gaines sharply renders the stress of Clay’s twoness.
    — Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Mar. 2025
Definition of render
Verb
  • The sea of ardent fans answered his call to repeat his tagline, too.
    — Mankaprr Conteh, Rolling Stone, 15 Mar. 2025
  • Republican leaders’ adoption of talking points on Ukraine that repeat Russian disinformation is just one example of how abandoning values abroad threatens democracy at home.
    — Mark Sandy, TIME, 14 Mar. 2025
Definition of repeat

Phrases Containing copy

Browse Nearby Words

copy
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Copy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/copy. Accessed 20 Mar. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on copy

Nglish: Translation of copy for Spanish Speakers

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

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

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

More Commonly Misspelled Words

Words You Always Have to Look Up
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

13 Unusually Long English Words

9 Superb Owl Words

More Words with Remarkable Origins

Terroir, Oenophile, & Magnum: Ten Words About Wine

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments
See More

Popular Features

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

13 Unusually Long English Words

9 Superb Owl Words
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 Word Game 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?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
number-twelve-balloon
12-Letter Words Quiz A dozen words, a dozen letters each.
See All