doppelgänger
noun
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According to German folklore, all living creatures have a spirit double who is invisible but identical to the living individual. These second selves are perceived as being distinct from ghosts (which appear only after death), and sometimes they are described as the spiritual opposite or negative of their human counterparts. German writers coined the word Doppelgänger (from doppel-, meaning "double," and -gänger, meaning "goer") to refer to such specters.
Synonyms
Examples of doppelgänger in a Sentence
Dorian Smith-Garcia, Parents, 8 Nov. 2023
The fitness-loving and style-savvy entrepreneur entered the next quarter of her life with the ultimate Parisian soiree surrounded by famous friends and her preeminent little doppelganger, Jodie Woods.
—Danielle Wright, Essence, 6 Oct. 2023
When The Golden Bachelor was filming, star Gerry Turner discovered his celebrity doppelganger.
—Jackie Strause, The Hollywood Reporter, 2 Nov. 2023
The tableau became the opening sequence of Past Lives, where onlookers attempt to guess the connection between the onscreen doppelgangers of Song, her white American husband and her Korean childhood friend.
—Mia Galuppo, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Nov. 2023
Plus, Susan got a special message from her doppelganger Kris Jenner.
—Stephanie Wenger, Peoplemag, 10 Nov. 2023
Advertisement Adam: There are always a few daunting aspects of publishing a 700-page, single-sentence series of books about doppelgangers on the western coast of Norway meditating on life and art.
—Anderson Tepper, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2023
Adam: There are always a few daunting aspects of publishing a 700-page, single-sentence series of books about doppelgangers on the western coast of Norway meditating on life and art.
—Anderson Tepper, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2023
The New Orleans Pelicans released a particularly entertaining video that stars CJ McCollum, along with a doppelganger who is quite the blast from the past.
—oregonlive, 17 Aug. 2023
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These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'doppelgänger.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
German Doppelgänger, from doppel- double + -gänger goer
1851, in the meaning defined at sense 2
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Cite this Entry
“Doppelgänger.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/doppelg%C3%A4nger. Accessed 9 Jan. 2024.
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