en English es español fr française it italiano de deutsche ja 日本語 pl polski cs česky sv svenska tr Türkçe nl Nederlands

"Replicate" vs. "imitate": mirror images or different echoes?

Reviewed and edited by Lloyd Cooper 03/10/2024, 01:52
English.me team member
Replicate and imitate. What's the difference?

What is similar?

Both words involve copying or mimicking something.

What is different?

Replicate implies creating an exact copy, often used in scientific or technical contexts. Imitate suggests mimicking the appearance or behavior of something, often used in artistic or behavioral contexts.

Which one is more common?

Internet search results for replicate) and imitate

Examples of usage

Replicate
  • Scientists aim to replicate the experiment to verify the results.
  • The software can replicate the data across multiple devices.
Imitate
  • Children often imitate the behavior of adults.
  • The artist's work imitates the style of the famous painter.

Recommended posts in Difference

"Yearning" vs. "nostalgia": a journey through emotions

"Yearning" vs. "nostalgia": a journey through emotions

While "yearning" is a general intense longing for something, "nostalgia" ... Learn more →

"Despot" vs. "tyrant": exploring the fine line between power and oppression

"Despot" vs. "tyrant": exploring the fine line between power and oppression

While both terms describe oppressive rulers, "despot" often carries a ... Learn more →

Linguistic nuances: the fine line between "prejudice" and "bias"

Linguistic nuances: the fine line between "prejudice" and "bias"

Prejudice often implies a more deeply held, unfavorable judgment or ... Learn more →

"Waver" vs. "fluctuate": navigating nuances in change

"Waver" vs. "fluctuate": navigating nuances in change

Waver often implies hesitation or lack of a firm decision, ... Learn more →