duplicate 1 of 3

duplicate

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noun

duplicate

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verb

1
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

2
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

3
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 many cases, this work will also identify opportunities for efficiency improvements (e.g., uncovering duplicate responsibilities and activities in supplier onboarding). Jim Deloach, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024 When he was done, Ivan would close the notebook from the back and pick it up tightly by the binding in one hand with the duplicate passport on top. Sarah A. Topol, New York Times, 20 Sep. 2024
Noun
The retail giant's budget-friendly duplicate of the Hermès' Birkin — humorously nicknamed the Walmès Wirkin — had influencers and consumers desperately trying to get their hands on the $79 piece. Charmaine Patterson, People.com, 31 Dec. 2024 Declutter Photos: Merge duplicates, store favorites in cloud storage, and delete the rest. Jess Cording, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024
Verb
The Republican governor compared the new legislation to the payments associated with duplicating public records while highlighting that the fee is not mandatory but up to the discretion of the agency. Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 4 Jan. 2025 The winning formula would be impossible to duplicate now. Edgar Thompson, Orlando Sentinel, 3 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for duplicate 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for duplicate
Adjective
  • Another important note: Kahnle has held right-handed and left-handed batters to nearly identical platoon splits over his career.
    Cody Stavenhagen, The Athletic, 30 Jan. 2025
  • Males and females of this species look identical and behave very similarly.
    Jonathan Granoff, Newsweek, 29 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • The social media user who first shared the image identified it as inauthentic in a follow-up post.
    Joedy McCreary, USA TODAY, 29 Jan. 2025
  • The profile — based on multiple interviews with Ali along with former colleagues, friends and reporters, according to Kiefer — painted an unflattering image of Ali, alleged the plaintiff.
    Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 29 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • The company provided me copies of the current edition for review.
    Rob Wieland, Forbes, 18 Jan. 2025
  • Those members of Congress would have to review the document under supervision from a Justice Department official and would not be able to keep a copy of the report, take notes or take photographs of its pages, government lawyers said.
    DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE STAFF FROM WIRE REPORTS, arkansasonline.com, 18 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Over generations, the pair have become so intertwined that now the fungus can’t reproduce without its endosymbiont.
    Molly Herring, WIRED, 26 Jan. 2025
  • In light of these challenges, perhaps there's a way to reproduce the observed features of the universe without needing an inflaton.
    Paul Sutter, Space.com, 19 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The initiative has since been replicated around Brazil and Latin America.
    Talya Minsberg, New York Times, 21 Jan. 2025
  • Over the past five decades the outdoor shopping center with a Hollywood clientele and a small town feel has been a beacon to developers who have replicated the model elsewhere in California and beyond, and an attractive destination for brands.
    Marissa Muller, WWD, 18 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Most taxpayers no longer itemize, thanks to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which doubled the standard deduction.
    Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes, 18 Jan. 2025
  • From its beginning, the Riverside Church ran a preschool, one that doubled as a microcosm of Fosdick’s mission of inclusivity and social justice.
    Jessica Winter, The New Yorker, 18 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Both losses followed a similar script, with All-NBA Defensive First Team candidate Dyson Daniels wreaking havoc at the point of attack.
    Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 19 Jan. 2025
  • While its thousands of mini LED clusters can't provide the same contrast as MicroLED’s millions of lights, its similar potency provides the same striking brightness alongside remarkable color accuracy.
    Ryan Waniata, WIRED, 19 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • The elaborate queue for the ride is set in a bank vault but the real highlight is right outside where there's a mini replica of Fremont Street in Sin City.
    Caroline Reid, Forbes, 18 Jan. 2025
  • The highly accurate set comes with a replica of the stylish three-story house, every floor brimming with rooms and accessories inspired by key scenes from across the franchise, including Edward’s bedroom and the grand piano in the living room.
    Gil Macias, People.com, 16 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near duplicate

Cite this Entry

“Duplicate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/duplicate. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.

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