Definition of replicanext

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun replica differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of replica are copy, duplicate, facsimile, and reproduction. While all these words mean "a thing made to closely resemble another," 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 would copy be a good substitute for replica?

The words copy and replica can be used in similar contexts, but copy applies especially to one of a number of things reproduced mechanically.

printed 1000 copies of the lithograph

When is duplicate a more appropriate choice than replica?

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

a duplicate of a house key

When could facsimile be used to replace replica?

While the synonyms facsimile and replica are close in meaning, facsimile suggests a close reproduction often of graphic matter that may differ in scale.

a facsimile of a rare book

Where would reproduction be a reasonable alternative to replica?

In some situations, the words reproduction and replica are roughly equivalent. However, 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 replica This involves virtual replicas of spinning frames, looms or dyeing machinery that are fed by IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things) sensors. Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 27 Aug. 2026 Wilder’s estate worked with the AI company ElevenLabs to generate a replica of the actor’s voice. Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026 My kids could never get enough of Dinosaur Land, a walk-through theme park with more than 50 life-sized replicas of these beloved prehistoric creatures made out of fiberglass. Allison Tibaldi, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026 The first 15,000 fans through the gates Saturday will also receive a Chipper Jones Realtree camo replica Braves jersey. Jamal Goss, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for replica
Recent Examples of Synonyms for replica
Noun
  • Following Abloh’s death in November 2021, Kamara was appointed as art and image director and presented his first show, Spring/Summer 2023, in Paris that year.
    Luke Leitch, Vogue, 31 Aug. 2026
  • The telescope’s first images are expected in the beginning months of 2027.
    Josh Dinner, Space.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Cinema is a relatively young art form; the idea of owning a personal copy of a film is an even more recent invention.
    Sophia Nguyen, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Organizers left a copy of the letter on the floor of the business’ entryway.
    Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Prosecutors believe he was killed because of ongoing strife with his former wife, Shanna Gardner, over the parenting of their twins.
    Ed White, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026
  • On a recent day, Ramadhan’s oldest child, not even 3, kissed the twins on the cheeks and recognized a photo of their mother.
    ABC News, ABC News, 26 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • The roughly 25-acre farm is also home to a reproduction of the Salem Village Meeting House, the site of many early hearings about the Salem witchcraft hysteria.
    Nicholas DeRenzo, Travel + Leisure, 25 Aug. 2026
  • If a reproduction looks too shiny, Quinn suggests using a matte spray to tone down the finish.
    Angelika Pokovba, Martha Stewart, 23 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • The school is now putting AI versions of its faculty to work in a $699 online startup bootcamp, where aspiring founders can rehearse investor pitches, sales calls, and board meetings—all with AI clones of Harvard instructors.
    Mia Osmonbekov, Fortune, 25 Aug. 2026
  • If a service is easy to copy, many clones appear and competition grows.
    Filip Borcov, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • The suspect was carrying an imitation Glock-style pellet gun.
    Tania Azhang, Sacbee.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • In the cold open of the first-season finale, the characters go through their backlog of snail mail, rushing through a series of updates on the show’s lingering story lines in imitation of a clip-show episode.
    Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • This picture shows signage of cross-border fast fashion e-commerce company SHEIN.
    Jenny Lee, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2026
  • One picture in the announcement included a snap of a baby onesie, a positive pregnancy test and a sonogram strip.
    Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 31 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Application streamlining, like preventing duplicates and simplifying the online system, may also help.
    Adam S. Minsky, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026
  • While the original 29 code talkers who created the unbreakable code received Congressional Gold Medals, subsequent Code Talker graduates received the silver duplicate.
    Debra Utacia Krol, AZCentral.com, 14 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Replica.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/replica. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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