simulate
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to create a simulation, likeness, or model of (a situation, system, or the like).
to simulate crisis conditions.
-
to make a pretense of; feign.
to simulate knowledge.
- Synonyms:
- counterfeit, pretend
-
to assume or have the appearance or characteristics of.
He simulated the manners of the rich.
- Synonyms:
- affect
adjective
verb
-
to make a pretence of; feign
to simulate anxiety
-
to reproduce the conditions of (a situation, etc), as in carrying out an experiment
to simulate weightlessness
-
to assume or have the appearance of; imitate
adjective
Other Word Forms
- nonsimulate adjective
- nonsimulative adjective
- simulative adjective
- simulatively adverb
- simulatory adjective
- unsimulated adjective
- unsimulating adjective
- unsimulative adjective
- well-simulated adjective
Etymology
Origin of simulate
1400–50; late Middle English (adj.) < Latin simulātus (past participle of simulāre ), equivalent to simul- (variant of simil-, base of similis similar ) + -ātus -ate 1
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The question is whether advanced AI systems merely simulate intelligent behavior or whether they also possess genuine awareness.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 25, 2026
Its technology, for example, could simulate how air flows around airplane wings, or predict where a metal part might crack under pressure, the the Journal reported.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 24, 2026
These accounts often simulate holdings of a stock index, and managers aim to improve after-tax returns by actively trimming losses and gains to reduce taxable gains.
From Barron's • Mar. 21, 2026
Nor does it help that AI agents are running wild in their own social network, where they convincingly simulate real human interaction.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 20, 2026
He might simulate it or confuse it with excitement, but he could not really have it.
From "The Sun Also Rises" by Ernest Hemingway
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
