recreate vs imitate

recreate and imitate both are verbs.

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

As verbs, imitate is a hyponym of recreate; that is, imitate is a word with a more specific, narrower meaning than recreate:

Other hyponyms of recreate include manifold, multiply, trace, back up, hectograph, clone, mimeo, mimeograph, roneo.

recreate (verb)	imitate (verb)
give new life or energy to	reproduce someone's behavior or looks
form anew in the imagination; recollect and re-form in the mind	make a reproduction or copy of
produce or make another of	appear like, as in behavior or appearance
make a replica of
give encouragement to
engage in recreational activities rather than work; occupy oneself in a diversion