MOCK Synonyms: 355 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'mock' distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of mock are ape , copy , imitate , and mimic . While all these words mean "to make something so that it resembles an existing thing," mock usually implies imitation with derision. // mocking a vain man's pompous manner

Q: When is 'ape' a more appropriate choice than 'mock'?

The synonyms ape and mock are sometimes interchangeable, but ape may suggest presumptuous, slavish, or inept imitating of a superior original. // American fashion designers aped their European colleagues

Q: When would 'copy' be a good substitute for 'mock'?

While the synonyms copy and mock are close in meaning, copy suggests duplicating an original as nearly as possible. // copied the painting and sold the fake as an original

Q: Where would 'imitate' be a reasonable alternative to 'mock'?

Although the words imitate and mock have much in common, imitate suggests following a model or a pattern but may allow for some variation. // imitate a poet's style

Q: When is it sensible to use 'mimic' instead of 'mock'?

While in some cases nearly identical to mock , mimic implies a close copying (as of voice or mannerism) often for fun, ridicule, or lifelike imitation. // pupils mimicking their teacher

mock 1 of 3

verb

ˈmäk

Definition of mock

as in to parody

to copy or exaggerate (someone or something) in order to make fun of team members good-naturedly mocked the coach's familiar bellow

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as in to ridicule

to make (someone or something) the object of unkind laughter the fashion gurus loved to mock the famous couple for their unsophisticated clothes

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to disobey

to go against the commands, prohibitions, or rules of a person willing to mock the religious prohibition against working on the Sabbath

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

mock

2 of 3

adjective

as in faux

being such in appearance only and made with or manufactured from usually cheaper materials mock turtle soup

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in fake

lacking in natural or spontaneous quality since I had inadvertently learned what I was getting, I opened the present with mock surprise

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

mock

3 of 3

noun

as in joke

a person or thing that is made fun of they made a mock of the new recruit in front of the whole unit

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in copy

something that is made to look exactly like something else obviously, the "priceless" Grecian urn that is destroyed in the movie was a mock

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word mock distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of mock are ape, copy, imitate, and mimic. While all these words mean "to make something so that it resembles an existing thing," mock usually implies imitation with derision.

mocking a vain man's pompous manner

When is ape a more appropriate choice than mock?

The synonyms ape and mock are sometimes interchangeable, but ape may suggest presumptuous, slavish, or inept imitating of a superior original.

American fashion designers aped their European colleagues

When would copy be a good substitute for mock?

While the synonyms copy and mock are close in meaning, copy suggests duplicating an original as nearly as possible.

copied the painting and sold the fake as an original

Where would imitate be a reasonable alternative to mock?

Although the words imitate and mock have much in common, imitate suggests following a model or a pattern but may allow for some variation.

imitate a poet's style

When is it sensible to use mimic instead of mock?

While in some cases nearly identical to mock, mimic implies a close copying (as of voice or mannerism) often for fun, ridicule, or lifelike imitation.

pupils mimicking their teacher

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 mock

Verb

Trump routinely mocks Newsom and refers to the governor using a derogatory nickname, while Newsom taunts the president with frequent social media posts. — Darlene Superville, Fortune, 4 Aug. 2026 British publications have fewer qualms, generally, about mocking the dead. — Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026

Adjective

After Max tortures them in a mock-trial confrontation in their living room, Tom eventually tackles Max into the backyard pool. — Benjamin Vanhoose, PEOPLE, 31 July 2026 The production poked fun at the MCU with its own bonkers multi-phase Spaceballs mock-franchise announcement that’s gone viral on social media, and played heartwarming clips of director and co-star Mel Brooks reuniting with the cast. — James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 27 July 2026

Noun

That said, 18 of the 32 players in last year’s early mock were drafted in the first three rounds last week, including 12 in the first round. — Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026 So instead, Kimmel presented his own schtick, appearing on a mock set at the Washington Hilton with clips of the president and others in the crowd, some looking none too happy. — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 24 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for mock

Recent Examples of Synonyms for mock

Verb

The popular national chain of gas stations and convenience stores agreed to settle a lawsuit with an oddities store outside Winter Park earlier this year over a collection of merchandise parodying the company’s iconic, bucktoothed logo.

— Cristóbal Reyes, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 Aug. 2026
The chatbot would then produce a snide response parodying Chan.

— Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of parody

Verb

People don’t do what they’re supposed to, or someone betrays someone else for money or power or spite, or maybe a dragon just disobeys its rider and decides to murder a prince.

— Brian Grubb, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026
Contempt of Congress is a federal misdemeanor in which an individual willfully disobeys or impedes a congressional investigation.

— Connor Greene, Time, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of disobey

Adjective

Add black ribbon or a handful of faux spider webs for Halloween, and swap out later with autumnal foliage for Thanksgiving.

— ABC News, ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026
But with sneakers strewn in the doorway and a cookbook opened to a specific recipe, the faux house felt lived in.

— Cerys Davies, Los Angeles Times, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of faux

Adjective

But if Rodgers and Newton are right about fake vaccination cards being a thing around the NFL at the time, there was apparently much bamboozling being done by a number of people.

— Armando Salguero OutKick, FOXNews.com, 11 Aug. 2026
As bait, the researchers created a fake startup, Ballena Azul, which pretended to focus on decentralized finance for large holders of cryptocurrency, which North Koreans have been known to target to fund the country’s regime.

— Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of fake

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

Browse Nearby Words

moccasins

mock

mocked

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Mock.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mock. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of mock

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adjective

noun

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