1
as in follower
a person who adopts the appearance or behavior of another especially in an obvious way
an Elvis imitator in a sequinned jumpsuit
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in performer
a person who imitates another's voice and mannerisms for comic effect
that comedian is a hilarious imitator of a surprising array of current celebrities
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of imitator
The success spurred other companies to open their models and shifted perceptions of China’s AI landscape from imitator to innovator.
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New Atlas, 31 Dec. 2025
Despite many aspirants and imitators, there really hasn’t been anything like it since.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 31 Dec. 2025
As some of his peers embrace generative artificial intelligence with their own likeness, Morgan Freeman is putting his imitators on notice.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 13 Nov. 2025
These are people who are in the know, many of whom actually thought of him as kind of a loser, as kind of an imitator.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 27 Oct. 2025
McVay’s offense inspired imitators as his assistant coaches spread across the NFL over the next few seasons, and while new defensive schemes famously evolved to counter it, 11 personnel seemed a permanent fixture of a league hell-bent on passing.
—Jourdan Rodrigue, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
The next two years saw the opening of imitators such as Pace, BJ’s, and Sam’s Club.
—Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2025
The oud that launched a thousand imitators, and still outclasses them all.
—Adam Hurly, Robb Report, 16 Oct. 2025
The goofy tree-imitator Pokémon, whose rock typing has come off as a prank since its early second generation introduction, finally fulfills its destiny as a grass type thanks to this new battling phenomenon.
—Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 10 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for imitator
Noun
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Jennifer Aniston's social media followers were treated to some banter between the Friends alum and her costar Courteney Cox — not as Rachel and Monica, but themselves.—
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The chef has 115 million social followers and has established himself over two decades with prime time shows like Kitchen Nightmares and MasterChef more recently being accompanied by a vibrant social media profile.—
Noun
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However, Minaj’s decision was met with pushback from more than 91,000 critics who signed a petition to deport the 43-year-old performer to Trinidad and Tobago, where she was born and raised before relocating to the Bronx.—
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By night, Storrie, then in a black satin Giuliva Heritage ensemble with a watch and diamonds by Chanel, landed on the cobblestone driveway at Chateau Marmont for Chanel’s Coco Crush campaign launch celebration, headlined by Gracie Abrams and performer Lily Allen.—
Noun
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Fischer especially recommends making sound-softening updates in rooms with higher ceilings, open layouts, and hardwood flooring, all of which can amplify echo and reverb.—
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At its softest, Le Bon’s sedate echo-chamber fare threatens to vaporize and disappear.—
Noun
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There are other Washburn regulars here too, like the excellent actors Bruce McKenzie and Jeff Biehl, but despite all their long acquaintance, something about the project never quite comes into focus.—
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People pour in from the dense warrens of India’s financial capital and from dusty villages thousands of kilometers away, all flowing towards the fortified, sea-facing Mumbai home of actor Shah Rukh Khan.—
Noun
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Very funny, talented… an excellent impressionist.—
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The funniest part about that is Lisa Ann Walter is actually a really exceptional impressionist.—
Noun
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Song Sung Blue centers on Mike Sardina (Jackman), a recovering alcoholic, Vietnam veteran and small-time musician working as a mechanic to support his love for performing, and Claire Stengl (Hudson), a struggling single mother who moonlights as a Patsy Cline impersonator.—
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The couple tied the knot on Saturday at the Little White Chapel in Las Vegas, where they were married by an Elvis Presley impersonator.—
Noun
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Johnson, a 54-year-old entertainer who hosts gospel brunches and soul nights in Inglewood according to his social media, did not respond to messages or a letter left at his home.—
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Over the course of 120 shows, the entertainer’s gross ticket sales topped more than $100 million.—
Noun
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Some of the hormone mimics, such as for amylin, might also work alone.—
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This enhancement occurred whether the viral mimic was DNA or RNA, meaning that CSWE activated multiple immune pathways.—
Cite this Entry
“Imitator.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imitator. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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