simulated
Britishadjective
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(of fur, leather, pearls, etc) being an imitation of the genuine article, usually made from cheaper material
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(of actions, qualities, emotions, etc) imitated; feigned
Explanation
A simulated thing pretends to be something it’s not, like a fire drill with fake smoke. Relax, it’s only a simulated emergency, created to feel exactly like the real thing. Simulated and similar have the same Latin root (similis), and a simulated situation is similar to the original, like a theme park that feels like India when you’re actually in Florida. Emotions can be simulated too, like your simulated sadness when you just want to get out of trouble. The word implies fakeness, but not always in a bad way. A simulated airflight video game can teach you how to fly without the negative side effects of crashing and dying.
Vocabulary lists containing simulated
Vocabulary from the Introduction to "Reality is Broken" by Jane McGonigal
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"How the Brain Reacts"
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This Week in Words: Current Events Vocab for January 31–February 6, 2026
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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 operation, at the vacant St. Luke Medical Center in the 2600 block of East Washington Boulevard, included simulated gunfire, flash grenades and a military helicopter that hovered over the building.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 6, 2026
Their findings also connect these simulated objects to known groups of meteorites found on Earth.
From Science Daily • May 26, 2026
A spokesperson said it had "clear policies" banning actual and simulated gambling, as well as rules governing paid random items.
From BBC • May 20, 2026
AI chatbots such as Text With Jesus offer round-the-clock spiritual guidance and simulated conversations with anyone from Jesus to the apostles—and even Satan, with a premium subscription.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 14, 2026
They flew in formation, fired at targets pulled by tow planes, simulated combat runs, and dive- bombed.
From "Unbroken" by Laura Hillenbrand
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.
