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

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 facsimile The duo initially claimed to have used generative AI that had been trained on the late Carlin’s body of work to produce the special, which mostly comes off as an airless facsimile of the legendary comedian. Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 4 Dec. 2024 He’s neutered down to a bland, depressing facsimile of himself here, a white-bread double-take machine reacting to the theoretical comedic stylings of Nicole Kidman. Tim Grierson, Vulture, 4 Feb. 2025 The atmosphere backstage was essentially a facsimile, with artists finding a deft balance between celebrating their wins while acknowledging the awards happening in the wake of a major natural disaster. Katie Bain, Billboard, 3 Feb. 2025 Whereas the first iteration of The Resistance seemed primed with potential, this facsimile feels far more muted and more than a little like a communal therapy session. Philip Elliott, TIME, 18 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for facsimile
Recent Examples of Synonyms for facsimile
Noun
  • Joey Spencer Results, Highlights And Reaction David Bowie’s Double LP The project is being released as a double LP and CD, both of which will come packaged with a replica poster from the original event.
    Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 6 Apr. 2025
  • When Medina instead lifts his right arm, which held the replica gun, officers open fire, striking Medina multiple times.
    Max Levy, Denver Post, 4 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Over 1,300 federal employees impacted by the Department of Education's March 11 reduction in force received their official separation notices Thursday, according to copies reviewed by ABC News.
    Arthur Jones II, ABC News, 11 Apr. 2025
  • The outlet reported that the Biden administration did send copies of the report to the House and Senate Armed Services Committees in December 2022, but the report was never made available online by the administration.
    Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The images feature the brand’s ready-to-wear, custom and bespoke suits, the latter of which are available by appointment with the company’s master tailor.
    Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 10 Apr. 2025
  • The New Yorker received the National Magazine Award for photography, winning for images illustrating three very distinct stories.
    The New Yorker, New Yorker, 10 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Ryan pointed to a Model T 100, a reproduction done of the Ford Model T done in 2003 for the 100th anniversary of the company.
    Jamie L. LaReau, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Second, how do social groups affect individual survival and reproduction – in other words, what group traits are under selection?
    Conner Philson, The Conversation, 27 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Austin was stabbed in the heart and died in the arms of his twin brother, the twins’ father said.
    Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Lopez shares her twins Emme and Max, 17, with ex Marc Anthony.
    Hannah Sacks, People.com, 4 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Photograph: Silas Stein/picture alliance via Getty Images This story originally appeared on Vox and is part of the Climate Desk collaboration.
    Umair Irfan, Wired News, 5 Apr. 2025
  • Still, Hynes wasn’t about to paint a pretty picture about losing to the Isles.
    Michael Russo, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The runner vine will fall off and the baby strawberry will become an adult plant that's a clone of its parent.
    Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Mar. 2025
  • In sci-fi, life tends to find a way, and some 200 years later, she's resurrected as a clone.
    Richard Edwards, Space.com, 26 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • In this slice-of-life portrait, Chen shows how childhood experiences can shape someone, illustrating how a childhood passion might expand their horizons without necessarily becoming a lifelong vocation.
    Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 29 Mar. 2025
  • Williams stays mostly away from that famously morphing portrait, a memorably chilling piece of the 1945 movie, as in all the various other dramatic adaptations over the years for stage and screen.
    Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 28 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Facsimile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/facsimile. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.

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