The male ape is intelligent by nature.
Source: tatoeba (43526)
Ape
/eɪp/
Synonyms for "ape" (198 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (40)
Noun(5 words)
actact a partact asact outangwantiboanthropoid apeape aboutappear likeapproachapproximateaye-ayebaboonbarbarbary apebe likebe redolent ofbearbear resemblancebring to mindbugs on
Show 14 more words
burlesquecall to mindcall upcape polecatcapuchincaricaturecavychacmachimpchimpanzeechiropteracome closecome nearcompare
Verb(1 words)
Strong matches (59)
compare withconformistcooncopiercopycopycatcopyistcorrespondcounterfeitcounterfeitercracked oncrazycrazy aboutcuckoodissemblerdissimulatordodrillechoechoer
Related words (99)
lagomorphalangurlemurlook likemacaquemad aboutmake likemanmandrillmarmosetmasquerademasquerade asmatchmimemimermimicmimickermirrormockmocker
Show 71 more words
mockingbirdmonkmonkeymountain gorillamousehoundnearnearly reproducenot tell apartnuts aboutnuts onopossumorangorangutanpantomimeparallelparodyparrotpartake ofpass forperformpersonatephonyplagiaristplayplay a partpolecatpoll-parrotpollypolly-parrotporcupinepose asposeurpossumprairie dogpretend to beprimatesproboscis monkeyquill pigraccoonremind one ofresemblerhesusrivalrodentiasakisavor ofseemseem likeshamsheepsimulatesimulatorskunksmack ofsound likestack upstack up withstarry-eyed oversteamed up aboutsuggesttake aftertake offtake off ontravestyturned-onweaselwhistle-pigwild aboutwolverinewoodchuckzoril
Verb(1 words)
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: copycat, imitator, act, act a part, act as.
- Sentence evidence is available for ape, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from wordnet, opengloss, moby, derived_reverse, and related lexical sources.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "ape".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "ape"
Keep "ape" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "ape" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "ape", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "ape" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
11 entriesMore specific
11 entriesCollocations
10 entriesape a styleape the behaviorape the mannerismsape the voiceaping mannerismsendangered great apegreat apeprimate familytree dwelling apezoo ape
Inflections
3 entriesDerivations
5 entriesTranslations
17 translations across 11 languages.
Catalan
3 entries- mico noun (derogatory: uncivilized person)
- primat noun (derogatory: uncivilized person)
- simi noun (derogatory: uncivilized person)
Finnish
1 entries- apina noun (derogatory: uncivilized person)
German
1 entries- Affe noun (derogatory: uncivilized person)
Greek
1 entries- πίθηκος noun (derogatory: uncivilized person)
Hungarian
1 entries- majom noun (derogatory: uncivilized person)
Italian
1 entries- scimmione noun (derogatory: uncivilized person)
Low German
2 entries- Aap noun (derogatory: uncivilized person)
- Oop noun (derogatory: uncivilized person)
Macedonian
1 entries- мајмун noun (derogatory: uncivilized person)
Portuguese
2 entries- macaco noun (derogatory: uncivilized person)
- primata noun (derogatory: uncivilized person)
Russian
1 entries- обезья́на noun (derogatory: uncivilized person)
Spanish
3 entries- mono noun (derogatory: uncivilized person)
- primate noun (derogatory: uncivilized person)
- simio noun (derogatory: uncivilized person)
Sample sentences
19 total sentences available.
When a big ape emerged from the cave, they got frightened and ran away.
Source: tatoeba (280367)
The most perfect ape cannot draw an ape; only man can do that; but, likewise, only man regards the ability to do this as a sign of superiority.
Source: tatoeba (918864)
Don't play the ape!
Source: tatoeba (4561733)
Showing 4 of 19 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "ape"?
Closest matches include copycat, imitator, act, act a part, act as.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "ape"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.