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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

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 mock
Verb
The Rankin-Bass classic Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer features Burl Ives as Sam the Snowman, who tells viewers the story of Rudolph, a reindeer who is mocked by his fellow reindeer for his glowing red nose. Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 1 Nov. 2024 Harris renewed her pitch to those voters in an interview on Spanish-language radio earlier this week, and her campaign was quick to release a new ad highlighting the offensive remarks made at the rally, in which a comedian mocked Latinos and Puerto Rico. Cheyanne M. Daniels, The Hill, 31 Oct. 2024
Adjective
Wear rubber gloves and clip a mangled licking branch (which holds the forehead and saliva scent of several bucks and does) from atop an active scrape and wire it over a mock scrape near your stand. Michael Hanback, Outdoor Life, 7 Nov. 2024 Students around the country are getting mock elections, nine-week campaign courses and field trips to the polls, where many high school seniors will vote for their first time on Tuesday. Lexi Lonas Cochran, The Hill, 5 Nov. 2024
Noun
Some have joked that will be the case considering this is expected to be among the weakest draft classes in an extremely long time, and the number of unknown foreign players at the top of many mocks could make this tricky for executives to judge. Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 11 May 2024 In addition, there already appears to be a consensus regarding the Heat’s no-draft (at least at No. 15) list, based on the latest mock drafts offered by ESPN, The Ringer and The Athletic. Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 22 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for mock 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mock
Verb
  • But unlike his dad, a larger-than-life figure who once hosted Saturday Night Live and was parodied on Seinfeld, Hal has stayed pretty quiet.
    Justin Birnbaum, Forbes, 25 Oct. 2024
  • One, which was later parodied in a famous Chappelle’s Show skit, required the artists to walk more than five miles to fetch him cheesecake from a Brooklyn restaurant.
    Hannah Giorgis, The Atlantic, 15 Oct. 2024
Verb
  • While popular with more liberal viewers, the show is also often ridiculed by conservatives as being too soft and too partisan.
    Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 6 Nov. 2024
  • Trump regularly ridicules broadcast networks and major news organizations that are critical of him and has recently called on the U.S. government to crack down on broadcast outlets.
    Dominick Mastrangelo, The Hill, 30 Oct. 2024
Verb
  • Suzie is livid that Sunny kept the bird, disobeying Suzie’s orders.
    Chris Klimek, Vulture, 31 July 2024
  • Clips recorded before and after the hearing were aired anyway by various news outlets, disobeying the court's directives, and Gull has denied each media request to record hearings and the trial ever since.
    Ron Wilkins, The Indianapolis Star, 23 Oct. 2024
Adjective
  • Add a faux fur skirt or garland around the tree for an elevated approach to the decade.
    Isabella Milano, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Nov. 2024
  • Brands from Old Navy to Gucci have introduced burgundy into their fall collections, showing faux suede outerwear, lush sweaters and trendy footwear.
    Jane Hanson, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • The source of those flames: a Christmas celebration that climaxes with ten helicopters dropping fake snow on the partygoers, a stunt that turns out to be a bad idea because of strong winds and some not-up-to-code fire extinguishers.
    Keith Phipps, Vulture, 17 Nov. 2024
  • After 1935, duck and goose hunters were limited to fake decoys.
    Alice Jones Webb, Outdoor Life, 14 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • While recalling the series of events leading up to the reveal, Brynn claimed that Erin had looped her in on the joke.
    Esther Kang, People.com, 20 Nov. 2024
  • But for my money–and that’s a joke–the best show on the radio might be Marketplace.
    Outside Online, Outside Online, 13 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • When your cells are occupied by two viruses, one of them initiates a response that essentially weakens the other and blocks it from making copies of itself, Dr. Murcia explains.
    Katie Camero, SELF, 22 Nov. 2024
  • Join 1 other in the comments View Comments The copy up for sale — which was in an Italian library until the middle of the 19th century and passed through several hands before being acquired by an English private collector — is from 1532.
    Amarachi Orie, CNN, 22 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • There's also a more foot-like Sole, for better imitating a human walking gait.
    Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 17 Oct. 2024
  • Governed by Neptune, the planet of fantasy and film, Pisces is naturally drawn to iconic characters and cinematic flair, and Nyong’o’s choice proves that life really does imitate art.
    Valerie Mesa, People.com, 28 Oct. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near mock

Cite this Entry

“Mock.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mock. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

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