These words sound similar but have completely different meanings.

Mixing them up can change your message entirely and confuse your readers.

“Imitated” – Definition and Meaning

Imitated is the past tense of the verb “imitate.” When you imitate something, you copy it or reproduce it as closely as possible. This word focuses on mimicking behavior, sounds, or appearances.

• Children learn by imitating their parents.
• Artists study and imitate the masters to develop their skills.
• People often imitate celebrities, copy fashion trends, or mimic accents.

The key idea is replication—making something look, sound, or act like the original.

Examples of “Imitated” in Sentences

Using “imitated” correctly helps show when someone copies or mirrors something. Here are practical examples:

• She imitated her older sister’s hairstyle because she admired it.
• The comedian imitated the president’s voice perfectly during the show.
• The student imitated the artist’s brush technique to improve his painting skills.

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“Intimated” – Definition and Meaning

Intimated is the past tense of the verb “intimate.” When you intimate something, you suggest or hint at it without saying it directly.

This word is about indirect communication and subtle suggestions.

• People intimate things when they want to be diplomatic or careful.
• A boss might intimate that layoffs are coming without announcing them officially.
• Someone might intimate their feelings without confessing them outright.

The focus is on suggestion rather than direct statement.

Examples of “Intimated” in Sentences

Using “intimated” properly shows subtle communication. These examples demonstrate the correct usage:

• She intimated her disappointment through a brief glance and sigh.
• The lawyer intimated that his client might accept a settlement offer.
• The manager intimated that budget cuts were likely during the meeting.

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Key Differences Between Imitated and Intimated

• imitated involves copying what you can see or hear,
• intimated involves hinting at ideas or feelings.
• One is about replication, the other about suggestion.
  
  Remember this simple trick:
• Think of “imitate” and “image”—both start with “im” and involve copying what you see.
• Think of “intimate” and “hint”—both involve subtle, indirect communication.

FAQ‘s

What does imitated mean?

Imitated means copied or mimicked someone’s actions, speech, or style in an observable way.

What does intimated mean?

Intimated means hinted or suggested something indirectly without stating it clearly or openly.

How do you use imitated in a sentence?

Use imitated when describing copying: “The child imitated her mother’s cooking style” or “He imitated the celebrity’s fashion sense.”

How do you use intimated in a sentence?

Use intimated when describing hints: “She intimated her plans to resign” or “The email intimated potential problems ahead.”

Can imitated and intimated be used interchangeably?

No, these words have completely different meanings and cannot replace each other in sentences without changing the message.

What’s an easy way to remember the difference?

Imitate = Image (both involve copying what you see). Intimate = Hint (both involve indirect communication).

Are imitated and intimated homophones?

No, they’re pronounced differently. Imitated sounds like “IM-ih-tay-ted” while intimated sounds like “IN-tih-may-ted.”

Conclusion

Imitated and intimated may look similar but serve completely different purposes. Imitated describes copying actions or styles you can observe. Intimated describes hinting at ideas without direct statements.

Using these words correctly makes your writing clearer and more professional. Keep the simple memory trick in mind, and you’ll never confuse them again.