copycats
Those who mimic
Copycats is the plural of copycat—someone who imitates another's behavior, work, or style, often without originality.
The term carries mild disapproval, suggesting the imitation lacks creativity: The success spawned dozens of copycats.
Copycat also works as an adjective: a copycat crime replicates methods from an earlier offense.
One who copies others
- parrotSpeech-mimicking tropical bird
- apeTailless higher primate
- impersonatorOne who copies others
- followerOne who supports another
echo · wannabe · clone · emulator · doppelganger · lookalike · double · shadow
Unauthorized replica product
- counterfeitFraudulent imitation
- bootlegIllegally produced goods
- forgeryCreating fraudulent imitations
- fakeNot the real thing
imitation · replica · ripoff · sham · phony · fraud · pirated · unauthorized
Violation of rights
- theftUnlawful taking of property
- piracySeaborne theft or bootlegging
- stealingUnlawful taking of property
- cheatingDeceptive rule-breaking
misappropriation · lifting · cribbing · borrowing · appropriation · poaching
Offering of respect
- homageExpression of deep respect
- admirationDeep respect felt
- emulationCopying to rival
- inspirationSource of creative impulse
influence · sincerity · appreciation · respect · acknowledgment · nod
Function's rate of change
- uninspiredLacking creative spark
- secondhandHaving had prior ownership
- staleNo longer fresh
- hackneyedOverused and unoriginal
formulaic · me-too · imitative · unimaginative · recycled · borrowed · clichéd · predictable
mimic
One who copies others
- parrotSpeech-mimicking tropical bird
- apeTailless higher primate
- impersonatorOne who copies others
follower · echo · wannabe · clone · emulator · doppelganger · lookalike · double · shadow · disciple
knockoff
Unauthorized replica product
- counterfeitFraudulent imitation
- bootlegIllegally produced goods
- forgeryCreating fraudulent imitations
fake · imitation · replica · ripoff · sham · phony · fraud · pirated · unauthorized · bogus
infringement
Violation of rights
- theftUnlawful taking of property
- piracySeaborne theft or bootlegging
- stealingUnlawful taking of property
cheating · misappropriation · lifting · cribbing · borrowing · appropriation · poaching
tribute
Offering of respect
- homageExpression of deep respect
- admirationDeep respect felt
- emulationCopying to rival
inspiration · influence · sincerity · appreciation · respect · acknowledgment · nod
derivative
Function's rate of change
- uninspiredLacking creative spark
- secondhandHaving had prior ownership
- staleNo longer fresh
hackneyed · formulaic · me-too · imitative · unimaginative · recycled · borrowed · clichéd · predictable · cookie-cutter
- business threatscompetition, substitutes, price wars, market saturation, brand damage
- Off-brandsstore brands, knockoffs, imitations, no-name brands, house brands
- scamsscam, scams, fraud, frauds, swindle
- infringerspirates, plagiarists, counterfeiters, bootleggers, forgers
- trademark disputesinfringement, counterfeiting, knockoffs, passing off, cease and desist
- criticscritic, critics, criticizer, criticizers, faultfinder
copycatsinnovators
Creators of novel things
originators · creators · inventors · pioneers · trailblazers
copycatstrendsetters
Those who initiate popular styles
pacesetters · originals · leaders · tastemakers · avant-garde
copycatsoriginals
Authentic first versions
one-of-a-kinds · authentics · individualists · genuine articles · nonconformists