copycatting
Doing what others do
Copycatting is imitating someone else's behavior, work, or style—usually with the suggestion that the imitation lacks originality or is done for unearned advantage.
The term carries a mildly disapproving tone, echoing the childhood taunt of "copycat": She accused her competitor of copycatting her designs.
In crime reporting, copycatting describes criminals who replicate methods from publicized offenses.
Copying another's behavior
- imitatingCopying another's manner
- emulatingCopying to equal
- mirroringReproducing an image identically
- replicatingMaking exact copies
duplicating · cloning · echoing · parroting · aping · following · shadowing · reproducing
Reporting others' wrongdoing
- mimickingCopying another's behavior
- teasingPlayful, mild ridicule
- siblingBrother or sister
- playgroundChildren's outdoor recreation space
annoyance · repetition · mocking · parroting · following · shadow · echo · behavior
Unlawful taking of property
- liftingRaising something heavy
- piratingUnauthorized copying of media
- appropriatingTaking for one's use
- borrowingTemporary taking of another's
ripping off · infringement · forgery · counterfeiting · fraud · attribution · citation · originality
One striving against others
- knockoffUnauthorized replica product
- cloneGenetically identical organism
- reverse engineeringAnalyzing something to understand construction
- trade secretHidden business knowledge
industrial espionage · generic · counterfeit · fast fashion · private label · benchmark · disruption · patent
mimicking
Copying another's behavior
replicating · duplicating · cloning · echoing · parroting · aping · following · shadowing · reproducing · simulation
tattling
Reporting others' wrongdoing
playground · annoyance · repetition · mocking · parroting · following · shadow · echo · behavior · attention-seeking
stealing
Unlawful taking of property
- liftingRaising something heavy
- piratingUnauthorized copying of media
- appropriatingTaking for one's use
borrowing · ripping off · infringement · forgery · counterfeiting · fraud · attribution · citation · originality · cheating
competitor
One striving against others
- knockoffUnauthorized replica product
- cloneGenetically identical organism
- reverse engineeringAnalyzing something to understand construction
trade secret · industrial espionage · generic · counterfeit · fast fashion · private label · benchmark · disruption · patent · trademark infringement
copycattinginnovating
Creating original methods
originating · creating · inventing · pioneering · innovation
copycattingtrendsetting
Initiating popular movements
trailblazing · leading · initiating · pathfinding · spearheading
copy, imitation, copying, copycat, copier, copycatted, copycats