Master confusing words with ease
Replicate vs. Duplicate
Replicate
/ˈrepləkeɪt/Examples:
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
Duplicate
/ˈdjuːpləkət/Examples:
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
Ways to tell them apart:
- Replicate often suggests making a copy or reproduction of something, usually in exact terms. For instance, duplicates might vary slightly, but replicates are expected to be identical or as close as possible.
- Duplicate is more about having another one of something, implying two or more identical copies, but there can be minor acceptable differences in casual usage.
- Think of replicate in scientific terms, like replicating an experiment, where precision is key, whereas duplicate can be as simple as making another photocopy of a document.
- Replicates often have a connotation of effort or intention to match something precisely, like in art or research, while duplicate is often more about convenience or necessity, such as a spare key.
- In biological terms, replication occurs in DNA where the focus is on creating an accurate copy, whereas duplication might be more related to redundant or spare copies.
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