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.
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
Return to topCopy can reproduce mechanically; emulate suggests striving toward the model's achievement or quality.
CHECK THE MEANING IN CONTEXT
See emulate in use
The young pianist tried to emulate her teacher's careful phrasing.
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.
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