COPY Synonyms: 78 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

copy 1 of 2

noun

ˈkä-pē

Definition of copy

as in reproduction

something that is made to look exactly like something else a copy of the famous painting "Washington Crossing the Delaware"

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

copy

2 of 2

verb

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

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

Audiobook versions of Weir’s novels have sold over 7 million copies on Audible to date. — Todd Spangler, Variety, 12 Aug. 2026 Teacher Raquel Chacon put out copies of Algebra 1 workbooks for each of her seventh-graders. — Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 12 Aug. 2026

Verb

However, the scammer had copied it from an earlier property listing. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 12 Aug. 2026 Anthropic and OpenAI have accused Chinese open-weight model makers of large-scale, unauthorized distillation, a technique used to copy proprietary AI models. — Christopher K. Tong, The Conversation, 12 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for copy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for copy

Noun

Many occur naturally in the body and act as chemical messengers, influencing metabolism, inflammation, reproduction and other physiological processes.

— Robert Pearl, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Big reveals operate to compete within the dizzying churn by making a spectacle out of commonplace family reproduction.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of reproduction

Verb

Females prefer these waters to reproduce, and during the summer male rays have a higher metabolism that drives them to seek out food in the invertebrates along the shore, Lowe said.

— ABC News, ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026
Ask whether the methodology is published in enough detail to reproduce, and who arbitrates a disputed grade.

— Janakiram MSV, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of reproduce

Verb

In light of the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), Loretto sounds a warning to leaders about imitating the language used by AI tools.

— Sally Percy, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
Still, Nixon created a blueprint for presidential lawlessness that Trump imitated and greatly expanded.

— Elizabeth Holtzman, New York Daily News, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of imitate

Noun

Depicting Washington on horseback during the Revolutionary War, the original monument has been there since 1904, and is actually a replica of one gifted to France.

— Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2026
Pittsburgh sculptor Brian McGuire custom designed the mold and is also working on a replica of the 1926 Central Library building.

— Juliet Bennett Rylah, Los Angeles Times, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of replica

Verb

The challenge facing Iraola and De la Torre is replicating that at one of the biggest clubs in the world, where expectations are huge and time is at a premium, with just over a week left until the Premier League season begins.

— Andy Jones, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026
That credibility often transfers to the guest, creating an authentic form of brand exposure that traditional advertising struggles to replicate.

— Julio Cesar Gomez, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of replicate

Verb

Although similar trios of total solar eclipses repeat every 18 years, few have crossed so many accessible and culturally significant destinations.

— Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026
One alcoholic drink followed by one non-alcoholic round, repeated through the evening.

— Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of repeat

Browse Nearby Words

copulation

copy

copycat

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Copy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/copy. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of copy

noun

verb

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Phrases Containing copy

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