: accurately representing or imitating real life
a lifelike portrait
lifelikeness
noun
Synonyms
Examples of lifelike in a Sentence
The graphics in the video game are more lifelike than we imagined they would be.
the eyes of the lifelike portrait seem to follow visitors around the room
Recent Examples on the Web
With new droids arriving at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge this week — and some of the most lifelike characters ever created coming later this year to Tiana’s Bayou Adventure — the Walt Disney Co. this year is elevating the wizardry that is theme park engineering.
—
Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2024
Two dozen lifelike babies lie nestled in a nursery right now in Traci Knoppe's Missouri home.
—David Oliver, USA TODAY, 2 Apr. 2024
Once interactions are sufficiently complex, even glitches can feel lifelike.
—Patrick House, The New Yorker, 19 Mar. 2024
Instruments and vocals are so impeccably placed, the sense of lifelike space and depth created by the speakers are unrivaled.
—Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 8 Mar. 2024
Still, the race to produce lifelike AI videos isn’t slowing down.
—Tyler Remmel, Washington Post, 28 Feb. 2024
The carving also explained why the specimen appeared to retain such a lifelike shape, rather than appearing flatter like a genuine fossil.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN, 20 Feb. 2024
Training in the virtual world The floor of the San Diego Convention Center was filled with lifelike mannequins — bleeding, blinking, moving and able to be poked and prodded and to respond to questions.
—Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 9 Feb. 2024
Fake but seriously lifelike clusters of plants and patches of moss freckle the room’s landscape.
—Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 8 Feb. 2024
Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2024
Two dozen lifelike babies lie nestled in a nursery right now in Traci Knoppe's Missouri home.
—David Oliver, USA TODAY, 2 Apr. 2024
Once interactions are sufficiently complex, even glitches can feel lifelike.
—Patrick House, The New Yorker, 19 Mar. 2024
Instruments and vocals are so impeccably placed, the sense of lifelike space and depth created by the speakers are unrivaled.
—Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 8 Mar. 2024
Still, the race to produce lifelike AI videos isn’t slowing down.
—Tyler Remmel, Washington Post, 28 Feb. 2024
The carving also explained why the specimen appeared to retain such a lifelike shape, rather than appearing flatter like a genuine fossil.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN, 20 Feb. 2024
Training in the virtual world The floor of the San Diego Convention Center was filled with lifelike mannequins — bleeding, blinking, moving and able to be poked and prodded and to respond to questions.
—Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 9 Feb. 2024
Fake but seriously lifelike clusters of plants and patches of moss freckle the room’s landscape.
—Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 8 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'lifelike.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of lifelike was
in the 14th century
Dictionary Entries Near lifelike
Cite this Entry
“Lifelike.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lifelike. Accessed 20 Apr. 2024.
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Kids Definition
lifelike
adjective
life·like
ˈlī-ˌflīk 
: accurately representing or imitating an actual living thing
a lifelike statue
lifelikeness
noun
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