impersonate

verb

im·​per·​son·​ate im-ˈpər-sə-ˌnāt How to pronounce impersonate (audio)
impersonated; impersonating
Synonyms of impersonatenext

transitive verb

: to assume or act the character of : personate
impersonating a police officer
impersonation
im-ˌpər-sə-ˈnā-shən How to pronounce impersonate (audio)
noun

Synonyms of impersonate

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Examples of impersonate in a Sentence

He was arrested for impersonating a police officer. a comedian with a talent for impersonating famous politicians and actors
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Less than a decade ago, Jordan Firstman went megaviral for impersonating banana bread’s publicist. — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 19 Aug. 2026 Goods’ son also got a call the family believes was from someone impersonating his missing mother. — Madison Lambert, NBC news, 19 Aug. 2026 The Monroe Public Safety Department and the Monroe County Sheriff's Office are warning residents about scam phone calls impersonating police. — Karma Sabbah, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026 The Good Will Hunting star portrayed Merritt Rook, an audio engineer impersonating a police officer on phone calls. — Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for impersonate

Word History

First Known Use

1715, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of impersonate was in 1715

Rhymes for impersonate

See All Rhymes for impersonate

Browse Nearby Words

impersonalize
impersonate
impersonator
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Impersonate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/impersonate. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

impersonate

verb
im·​per·​son·​ate im-ˈpərs-ᵊn-ˌāt How to pronounce impersonate (audio)
impersonated; impersonating
: to pretend to be some other person
impersonate a police officer
impersonation
-ˌpərs-ᵊn-ˈā-shən
noun
impersonator
-ˈpərs-ᵊn-ˌāt-ər
noun

Legal Definition

impersonate

transitive verb
im·​per·​son·​ate im-ˈpər-sə-ˌnāt How to pronounce impersonate (audio)
impersonated; impersonating
: to assume (another's or a fictitious identity) without authority and with fraudulent intent
impersonate a police officer
impersonated a public servant by saying he was from the water department
impersonator
-ˌnā-tər How to pronounce impersonate (audio)
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on impersonate

Nglish: Translation of impersonate for Spanish Speakers

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