as in imitative
using or marked by the use of something else as a basis or model
she thought the plots of most action movies were pretty formulaic
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Recent Examples of formulaic
Like the language in which it was given, the ritual was formulaic, even staid.
—
Katie Thornton, Harpers Magazine, 26 May 2026
This entry feels merely formulaic, with little on the line except the outcome of a stray assignment for one bounty hunter.
—The Week Us, TheWeek, 25 May 2026
It was also being lectured by people who presented a formulaic perspective on a complicated future that the class of 2026 is already navigating.
—Ann Kirschner, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026
While these celebrity docs are hagiographic and formulaic, the interviews with Nadal and family and rivals like Federer and Novak Djokovic do push beyond the surface.
—Stuart Miller, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for formulaic
Katie Thornton, Harpers Magazine, 26 May 2026
This entry feels merely formulaic, with little on the line except the outcome of a stray assignment for one bounty hunter.
—The Week Us, TheWeek, 25 May 2026
It was also being lectured by people who presented a formulaic perspective on a complicated future that the class of 2026 is already navigating.
—Ann Kirschner, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026
While these celebrity docs are hagiographic and formulaic, the interviews with Nadal and family and rivals like Federer and Novak Djokovic do push beyond the surface.
—Stuart Miller, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for formulaic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for formulaic
Adjective
-
Since then, whenever new tools to crank out communications have become available, somebody has flooded the zone with the fastest, most imitative material that could garner attention.—
Deni Ellis Béchard,
Scientific American,
8 Nov. 2025
-
It may be borrowed or coined, named after a person, inspired by a place or imitative of a sound.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Other artists copied his style, which at first the artist considered flattering but later saw it as unoriginal as his popularity grew.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
14 Apr. 2026
-
This makes your home feel intentional and personal instead of sterile and unoriginal.—
Ashlyn Needham,
The Spruce,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Formulaic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/formulaic. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
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