imitate vs simulate

imitate and simulate both are verbs.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
imitate	No	No	Yes	No
simulate	No	No	Yes	No

As verbs, imitate and simulate are synonyms defined as:

Other synonyms of imitate include copy.

imitate (verb)	simulate (verb)
reproduce someone's behavior or looks	make a pretence of
make a reproduction or copy of	create a representation or simulation of
appear like, as in behavior or appearance	reproduce someone's behavior or looks