SYNONYMS AND RELATED EXPRESSIONS

emulate

verb

To strive to equal or surpass a model through imitation.

Local English device voice, when available. This is not a recorded dictionary pronunciation.
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Imitate to match a model

Closest synonyms

Related words and expressions

These extend or explain the idea and may require a different sentence structure.

Usage distinction

Copy can reproduce mechanically; emulate suggests striving toward the model's achievement or quality.

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Test this word in the Comprehensive Synonym Exam

CHECK THE MEANING IN CONTEXT

See emulate in use

The young pianist tried to emulate her teacher's careful phrasing.
Dictionary practice example.
The illustrator later shared an exemplary poster in a workshop, explaining why its limited elements worked well together. She wanted it to embody the principle that clarity could be visually engaging, not to suggest that every future design should look the same. A student hoped to emulate the care behind that result without copying its exact arrangement.
From Recognition and a Model to Follow.

Compare an alternative with the original word in each passage. Shared meanings do not make every pair interchangeable.

Synonym reference scope and sources

The groups distinguish the senses selected for this study entry. Closest synonyms and broader related expressions have separate labels. The listed sources support lexical selection; not every phrase is a direct quotation from a source.

How the synonym reference was prepared / WordNet 3.0 license

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