Synonym Chooser

How does the noun facsimile differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of facsimile are copy, duplicate, replica, and reproduction. While all these words mean "a thing made to closely resemble another," facsimile suggests a close reproduction often of graphic matter that may differ in scale.

a facsimile of a rare book

When is it sensible to use copy instead of facsimile?

In some situations, the words copy and facsimile are roughly equivalent. However, copy applies especially to one of a number of things reproduced mechanically.

printed 1000 copies of the lithograph

When can duplicate be used instead of facsimile?

The synonyms duplicate and facsimile are sometimes interchangeable, but duplicate implies a double or counterpart exactly corresponding to another thing.

a duplicate of a house key

When might replica be a better fit than facsimile?

Although the words replica and facsimile have much in common, 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

In what contexts can reproduction take the place of facsimile?

While in some cases nearly identical to facsimile, reproduction implies an exact or close imitation of an existing thing.

reproductions from the museum's furniture collection

Examples 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 facsimile For example, the Temple of the Forbidden Eye’s animatronic was always a disappointing facsimile. Gieson Cacho, The Mercury News, 10 Dec. 2024 Some coaches can pull off a facsimile of genuine kindness. Ben Standig, The Athletic, 22 Nov. 2024 These would suck as $50 mall watches, let alone as a facsimile of luxury watchmaking. Alistair Charlton, WIRED, 27 Sep. 2024 Dreaming of a way to change her life but too scared to apply for the management training program, Angie is a facsimile of Melissa from a few months ago. Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 27 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for facsimile 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for facsimile
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
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
Noun
  • The images of Till’s mutilated corpse stayed in young Ali’s mind.
    Mikal Gilmore, Rolling Stone, 17 Jan. 2025
  • In particular, Leavitt would scrutinize images of the Small and Large Magellanic Clouds, and had identified 1,800 variable stars within them.
    Keith Cooper, Space.com, 17 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • In the wild, cats faced the challenge of limited prey, which favored only the most skilled hunters for survival and reproduction.
    Michael Gfoeller And David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 14 Jan. 2025
  • Here, a reproduction of the article that ran in Women’s Wear Daily on July 20, 1956, including Dior’s thoughts on the WWD’s support of him and its succinct coverage of all things informing the fashion industry 365 days of the year.
    WWD Staff, WWD, 10 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Comments Nineties kids are kind of obsessed with twins.
    Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 22 Jan. 2025
  • Written and directed by Hallie Meyers-Shyer (Home Again), the film from Ketchup Entertainment follows Andy Goodrich (Keaton), whose life is upended when his wife and mother of their nine-year-old twins enters a 90-day rehab program, leaving him on his own with their young kids.
    Matt Grobar, Deadline, 22 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Popular on Variety Set against the backdrop of Vallejo, Calif., during the late 1980s, the film paints a vivid picture of a city in freefall, according to the official synopsis.
    Katcy Stephan, Variety, 23 Jan. 2025
  • The Investigation Discovery documentary (streaming on Max) is a compilation of many claims made against Brown over the years, strung together to create a picture of a violent man whom the entertainment industry has granted a pass.
    Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY, 23 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Among the places some of them took refuge was Likee, a TikTok clone launched by the profitable Singaporean tech company Joyy in 2017.
    Paresh Dave, WIRED, 22 Jan. 2025
  • His Carneros Chardonnay is carefully selected from a small block from a variety of clones, primarily fermented in 53% French oak using native yeast, with a small percentage of concrete.
    John Mariani, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • The result is an exceptional collection of portraits of children made between the 16th and 19th centuries located in their Mallorca museum.
    The Editors of ARTnews, ARTnews.com, 15 Jan. 2025
  • While most of the portraits on view at the AGO don’t depict specific women, Newton’s face appears again and again.
    Brigit Katz, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 Jan. 2025

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Thesaurus Entries Near facsimile

Cite this Entry

“Facsimile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/facsimile. Accessed 29 Jan. 2025.

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