simulate

/ˌsɪmjəˈleɪt/

/ˈsɪmjəleɪt/

Other forms: simulated; simulating; simulates

When you simulate something, you imitate it. Hollywood makeup artists can use pencils and gray wigs to simulate old age in a young actor. It can also mean to model — a computer can simulate disaster scenarios in cities.

If you really admire someone's calm-under-pressure attitude, you may try to simulate their demeanor. When opening a present, it's polite to simulate surprise and excitement about the gift item, even if you already have it or it is ugly as dirt. Don't try to simulate your parents' signatures on excuse cards, though — signatures are unique to individuals and impossible to simulate perfectly.

Definitions of simulate

1. verb

   reproduce someone's behavior or looks
   synonyms: copy, imitate

   types:

   conform to, follow

   behave in accordance or in agreement with

   mock

   imitate with mockery and derision

   take off

   mimic or imitate in an amusing or satirical manner

   mime, mimic

   imitate (a person or manner), especially for satirical effect

   model, pattern

   plan or create according to a model or models

   follow, take after

   imitate in behavior; take as a model

   emulate

   strive to equal or match, especially by imitating

   go by

   be or act in accordance with

   ape, caricature

   represent a person with comic exaggeration

   impersonate

   represent another person with comic intentions

   burlesque, parody, spoof

   make a parody of

   scale

   pattern, make, regulate, set, measure, or estimate according to some rate or standard

   sovietise, sovietize

   model a country's social, political, and economic structure on the Soviet Union

   type of:

   reproduce

   make a copy or equivalent of
2. verb

   create a representation or model of
   “The pilots are trained in conditions simulating high-altitude flights”

   synonyms: model

   type of:

   re-create

   create anew
3. verb

   make a pretence of
   synonyms: assume, feign, sham

   types:

   play

   pretend to be somebody in the framework of a game or playful activity

   feint

   deceive by a mock action

   type of:

   act, dissemble, pretend

   behave unnaturally or affectedly