DUPLICATE Synonyms: 158 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'duplicate' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of duplicate are copy , facsimile , replica , and reproduction . While all these words mean "a thing made to closely resemble another," duplicate implies a double or counterpart exactly corresponding to another thing. // a duplicate of a house key

Q: When is it sensible to use 'copy' instead of 'duplicate'?

The meanings of copy and duplicate largely overlap; however, copy applies especially to one of a number of things reproduced mechanically. // printed 1000 copies of the lithograph

Q: When can 'facsimile' be used instead of 'duplicate'?

Although the words facsimile and duplicate have much in common, 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 'duplicate'?

While the synonyms replica and duplicate are close in meaning, 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: When might 'reproduction' be a better fit than 'duplicate'?

While in some cases nearly identical to duplicate , reproduction implies an exact or close imitation of an existing thing. // reproductions from the museum's furniture collection

duplicate 1 of 3

adjective

ˈdü-pli-kət

Definition of duplicate

as in identical

resembling another in every respect duplicate copies of the portrait that were painted by the artist himself

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

duplicate

2 of 3

noun

ˈdü-pli-kət

as in image

something or someone that strongly resembles another doll carriages that are duplicates of baby carriages

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in copy

something that is made to look exactly like something else a duplicate of a house key

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

duplicate

3 of 3

verb

ˈdü-pli-ˌkāt

as in to copy

to make an exact likeness of art students trying to duplicate paintings in the museum's collection as part of their training

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to replicate

to make or do again we were unable to duplicate the experiment in our own lab, so we're suspicious

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in to double

to make twice as great or as many the recipe can be easily duplicated in order to feed a large family

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun duplicate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of duplicate are copy, facsimile, replica, and reproduction. While all these words mean "a thing made to closely resemble another," duplicate implies a double or counterpart exactly corresponding to another thing.

a duplicate of a house key

When is it sensible to use copy instead of duplicate?

The meanings of copy and duplicate largely overlap; however, copy applies especially to one of a number of things reproduced mechanically.

printed 1000 copies of the lithograph

When can facsimile be used instead of duplicate?

Although the words facsimile and duplicate have much in common, 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 duplicate?

While the synonyms replica and duplicate are close in meaning, 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

When might reproduction be a better fit than duplicate?

While in some cases nearly identical to duplicate, 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 duplicate

Adjective

In order to receive a payment, claimants must prove that 1) Equifax sent a credit report to a third party showing a duplication collection amount, or 2) the duplicate collection account was one of the reasons the claimant was denied credit. — Jason Cohen, PC Magazine, 5 Aug. 2026 Equifax also agreed to continue measures designed to prevent duplicate collection accounts from appearing on consumer reports and to remove any remaining duplicate accounts tied to the issue. — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 31 July 2026

Noun

Some have been coming here since the 2010 World Cup, and their steady presence and exhaustive supplies of duplicates have established this as the place to go. — Maria Jose Gutierrez-Chavez, Curbed, 17 July 2026 Johns discovered that there was a small detail on the dress’ backside that duplicates often got wrong. — Rance Collins, Entertainment Weekly, 17 July 2026

Verb

Don't forget to discard digital clutter, too—delete blurry and duplicate photos and videos from your devices. — Maria Sabella, The Spruce, 26 July 2026 Consumer acceptance is high, as the interactive screens duplicate smartphone interfaces, keeping the UI effortless. — Michael Harley, ArsTechnica, 21 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for duplicate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for duplicate

Adjective

The high school principal sent a nearly identical response, according to the filing.

— Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 9 Aug. 2026
Conversely, investment banks can drop large numbers of new grads into identical jobs.

— Ryan Craig, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of identical

Noun

The family snaps included a black-and-white image of a shirtless Hefner cradling the newborn, Lambropoulos Hefner introducing her daughter to their son Forrest, 3, as well as Forrest holding his baby sister, who was sweetly swaddled in pink.

— Clare Fisher, PEOPLE, 10 Aug. 2026
After the image of Rhaenyra jumping to her own death and landing on spikes, Rhaenyra sees a depiction of her on the Iron Throne with blood streaming down from the crown on her head and surrounded by dragon flames.

— Jennifer Maas, Variety, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of image

Verb

When mice at Patricia Hunt’s lab at Washington State University began losing fetuses with devastating birth defects — facial deformities and missing hindquarters — or failed to reproduce at all, Hunt immediately put on her detective hat.

— Sandee LaMotte, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026
His art education began by watching his father reproduce church murals.

— Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of reproduce

Verb

The Texas Super Kings aim to replicate Chennai's successful model of loyalty and community engagement.

— Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2026
Billionaire Shark Tank star and KIND bar founder Daniel Lubetzky has said his advice for Gen Z is to double down on the skills that technology cannot easily replicate.

— Preston Fore, Fortune, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of replicate

Adjective

Crowley's mention of the Evers endorsement drew a round of applause at both of his campaign stops in New Glarus and Madison this week, but similar votes of confidence haven't always been decisive in other primaries.

— ABC News, ABC News, 6 Aug. 2026
California is among multiple states, including Maryland and Connecticut, that have passed or are considering similar measures.

— Darrielle Fair, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of similar

Noun

The walls are decorated with lamps and replica guns, and in future the group plans to add a projector and an air-conditioning unit.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 3 Aug. 2026
This included getting access to a replica of the infamous red Ferrari, according to Carol Smith, executive director of communications for Glenbrook High School District 225, which includes Glenbrook North, and an organizer of the photo shoot.

— Alexandra Murphy, Chicago Tribune, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of replica

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duplexes

duplicate

duplicated

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Style

“Duplicate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/duplicate. Accessed 10 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of duplicate

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verb

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