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"imitation" is also used as a crossword clue. If that's what you saw, the answer is often simulated (9 letters).
Definitions
copying (or trying to copy) the actions of someone else
Word origin
From Middle English imitacioun, from Middle French imitacion, from Old French imitacion, from Latin imitatio.
Used in a sentence
“a pale imitation”
“a realistic imitation”
“in imitation of”
Source: Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0
Used as a crossword answer2 curated clues
01“Act of copying”9 letters
02“Copy”9 letters
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