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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
Many Patriots fans attempt to annually mock the Falcons over the infamous loss by reversing the numbers on the calendar. Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 29 Mar. 2025 The host kicked off the show, mocking the scandal, which saw the highest-ranking national security officials inadvertently add the editor-in-chief of The Atlantic magazine to a Signal group text chain in which leaders discussed plans for an airstrike in Yemen. Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
Resume workshops, mock interviews, and financial literacy classes are often replaced with endless standardized testing. Jasmine Browley, Essence, 1 Apr. 2025 Most mock drafts place her as the No. 2 pick behind Connecticut star Paige Bueckers. Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 29 Mar. 2025
Noun
Rogan mocks left for wanting to create their own podcast network. Fox News, 7 Mar. 2025 Jacksonville Jaguars - Mason Graham, DT, Michigan The Jaguars, as every mock seems to have, take Mason Graham to shore up the middle of their defense. Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 20 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for mock
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mock
Verb
  • During her opening monologue, Madison — who was previously parodied by SNL cast member Heidi Gardner earlier in the season — poked fun at her stripper skills in the award-winning project.
    Nicholas Rice, People.com, 30 Mar. 2025
  • Schiaparelli’s latest show took a more traditional turn, its goal to be making modernity out of antiquity, but up until this show, Daniel Roseberry has taken great care to make a body of work at Schiaparelli that honors and practically parodies the intricate details of human body features.
    Aamina Inayat Khan, StyleCaster, 5 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Another aspect to note is that the AI didn’t ridicule me or otherwise play any tomfoolery about my need for assistance.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 5 Apr. 2025
  • His visit to a military base in Greenland to deliver a speech was ridiculed amid unwanted overtures from the U.S. to annex Greenland.
    Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • After a federal judge ordered the government to respond to the accusation that CBP disobeyed a court order by deporting Alawieh, lawyers from the Justice Department denied the accusation the morning of March 17, court records show.
    Julia Marnin, Miami Herald, 18 Mar. 2025
  • Her attorneys argue the government disobeyed the order.
    Cate Martel, The Hill, 17 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • This smart-looking slip-on is available in a variety of materials, including faux nubuck and leather.
    Miles Walls, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Apr. 2025
  • At the stores, bestsellers in ready-to-wear have been their cashmeres and leathers, along with faux fur and items with special details such as rhinestones.
    Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 2 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • These platforms sell complete phishing kits—web hosting, SMS delivery systems, fake landing pages, encryption tools—to other cybercriminals who want to run scams at scale.
    Alex Vakulov, Forbes.com, 6 Apr. 2025
  • Nancy Marks, Santos’ former campaign treasurer, admitted to filing bogus campaign finance reports filled with fake donors and a fake $500,000 personal loan from Santos.
    Philip Marcelo, Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Meanwhile, Corden, as the event’s emcee, made some uncomfortable jokes about the Dow dropping 2200 points last Friday.
    Martha Ross, Mercury News, 7 Apr. 2025
  • After Wil Trapp scored a rare goal in Minnesota United’s 2-1 win over New York City on Sunday — and the midfielder did so from outside the 18-yard box — Michael Boxall had jokes ready for his teammate and friend in the visiting locker room at Yankee Stadium.
    Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 6 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
Verb
  • Emmy-winning actor Paul Walter Hauser, the lead of game show drama The Luckiest Man in America, came close to life imitating art and being a contestant himself.
    Simon Thompson, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
  • Brando acted with an ice-bucket on his head, imitated the Queen of England in his line readings and performed bongos at the wrap party while wearing a muumuu.
    Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 2 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

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

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