COPYING Synonyms: 40 Similar and Opposite Words

copying

verb

present participle of copy

as in reproducing

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in imitating

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

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 copying Sweeping multilateral regulatory approaches, such as the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation, are losing their efficacy as other major markets, including China, cease copying the EU playbook. — Mark Leonard, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026 Still, copying what an older woman did isn’t necessarily the same as learning from her. — Angela Haupt, Time, 18 Aug. 2026 Users could previously add this script manually to Copernicus Browser sessions by copying and pasting it using the custom visualization option under the default layers. — Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 7 Aug. 2026 On Friday, people are waiting for your approval and copying you on the important email. — Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2026 Rather than simply copying the appearance of seaweed, the researchers recreated its tangled structure using sustainable biopolymers. — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 5 Aug. 2026 Presenter Gabby Logan gently teased him for copying the Argentine’s outfit on set, and Rooney laughed along. — Greg O'Keeffe, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026 Entrepreneurs have been taking to LinkedIn and claiming that the only way to succeed in the current climate is by copying China’s old 996 model. — Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 1 Aug. 2026 How to replicate her success without copying it Elliott says Diaz Albadan’s example is worth following. — Sarah Jackson, CNBC, 30 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for copying

Verb

While many inland striper fisheries are managed via annual stocking of fingerlings, Texoma stands out because its stripers are reproducing naturally.

— Ken Perrotte, USA Today, 4 Aug. 2026
The sargassum that began reproducing in the region earlier than usual this year stems from a record 40 million metric tons reported last year.

— ABC News, ABC News, 31 July 2026

Definition of reproducing

Verb

The future of flooring, countertops, and walls isn’t about imitating nature.

— Better Homes & Gardens, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Aug. 2026
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

Definition of imitating

Verb

Russia is slowly edging towards its territorial goal of taking the Donbas – albeit through rendering the remaining ground held by Ukraine uninhabitable through horrific drone strikes on all signs of civilian and military life.

— Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026
Restore screenwriter Scott Frank’s original idea of rendering the past in black and white.

— Callum McLennan, Variety, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of rendering

Verb

In the two-thousands, criminal gangs in the southeast began emulating the practice—but as a way of making money rather than as an act of resistance.

— Alexis Okeowo, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026
On the other hand, the technology is assumed to becomes more elevated by more closely emulating the body.

— Jonathon Keats, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026

Definition of emulating

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
Real-world experience in professions may be a quality that AI is incapable of replicating, a new study suggests.

— Joe McKendrick, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of replicating

Verb

Do that and a first cannabis gummy experience is far more likely to be a good one, and one potentially worth repeating on your own terms.

— Peter Su, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
Leaning even more into the vintage patterns and textiles that shaped her inaugural capsule, the designer particularly emphasized florals applied in repeating motifs, geometric stripes, plaids, and checkered prints.

— Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of repeating

Verb

Stay Disciplined With SaaS Founders who ignore SaaS creep risk paying for tools their teams don’t use, duplicating functionality, and losing sight of where critical data actually lives.

— Alison Coleman, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Rather, each pair should serve a distinct purpose instead of duplicating another one already hanging in the closet.

— Alesandra Dubin, Glamour, 31 July 2026

Definition of duplicating

Browse Nearby Words

copyedits

copying

copyist

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Style

“Copying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/copying. Accessed 19 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of copying

verb

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