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mock

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adjective

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mock

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noun

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
Other posters replied by mocking Rogan for his association with Musk, who’s appeared on his podcast multiple times. Dimitar 'mix' Mihov, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2025 The president posted a meme on his social media network mocking federal employees. Steve Peoples, Chicago Tribune, 23 Feb. 2025
Adjective
Under the banner of Extinction Rebellion, or XR, activists have staged a mock burial of the future and carried giant skeletons through London’s streets. Anna Russell, The New Yorker, 7 Feb. 2025 The film doesn’t harp on Bridget’s perimenopause or mock Roxster’s ignorance of albums that came out before 1996. Allison P. Davis, Vulture, 6 Feb. 2025
Noun
Give Keith’s final mock draft another look before the show begins tonight. Chris Branch, The Athletic, 14 July 2024 After lost Olympic shot, the sprint star is back NBA mock draft: Who's going No. 1? New York Times, 20 June 2024 See All Example Sentences for mock
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mock
Verb
  • The images were widely parodied, but Leo stood her ground.
    Radhika Seth, Vogue, 8 Feb. 2025
  • The scene and the song were later parodied in a 2007 Saturday Night Live digital short by the Lonely Island, helping broaden its reach and turning the song into a meme.
    Xander Zellner, Billboard, 21 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • While the former third baseman has strong support in his clubhouse, he’s been ridiculed by fans throughout his time with the Bombers despite taking the team to the playoffs in all but one season, 2023.
    Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 14 Feb. 2025
  • The last time Prince Andrew spoke on the relevant topic he was yanked from public life and universally ridiculed.
    Stephanie Nolasco, Fox News, 12 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • There is some chance that the Court, which knows that its popularity and public trust are at historic lows, will fear that this President might contemplate disobeying a court’s order to issue citizenship documents, and choose not to test him.
    Jeannie Suk Gersen, The New Yorker, 22 Jan. 2025
  • Stella explains that Damon lied about disobeying orders and that there have been trust issues in the past.
    Vlada Gelman, TVLine, 9 Oct. 2024
Adjective
  • But the biggest changes can be found at the back of the car, where the rear end has been outfitted with a pair of vertical stabilizers and a set of faux afterburners and missiles.
    Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 27 Feb. 2025
  • Sabrina After Dark, the faux series Sabrina Carpenter built into her live show on the Short n’ Sweet tour, has been renewed for another season.
    Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Here are the best fake car ads and parodies celebrating SNL's 50th anniversary.
    Betty Lin-Fisher, USA TODAY, 18 Feb. 2025
  • Read More: The 22 Most Controversial Saturday Night Live Moments Best Ad Break Over the show’s five decades, SNL has created ads for some memorably fake products.
    Melissa Locker, TIME, 17 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • While the bit was planned, some questioned whether she had been let in on the joke.
    Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 17 Feb. 2025
  • Sunday night's show packed five decades of memories, references, music, and jokes into a three-hour program that was high on emotion, heart, and laughs.
    Melissa Locker, TIME, 17 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Film footage taken of the flag-raising in action proves the photo’s authenticity, though the original copy has been lost.
    Sarah Holzmann, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Feb. 2025
  • The notices of firings and leaves come on top of hundreds of USAID contractors receiving no-name form letters of termination over the weekend, according to copies that the AP viewed.
    Ellen Knickmeyer, Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • For example, a light lavender lining peeks out from underneath the tool of the Rapunzel dress, which can be paired with a long, dramatic boa to imitate her lustrous mane.
    Ashlyn Robinette, People.com, 11 Feb. 2025
  • Between the lines: The BRT experience aims to imitate the experience of a subway or train.
    Andrew King, Axios, 10 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Mock.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mock. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.

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