repetitive

adjective

re·​pet·​i·​tive ri-ˈpe-tə-tiv 

1

: repetitious

2

: containing repetition

repetitively adverb

repetitiveness noun

Synonyms of repetitive

• redundant
• repetitious
• reiterative
• duplicative

Examples of repetitive in a Sentence

an injury caused by repetitive wrist movements

She left the job because the work was too repetitive.

At the risk of being repetitive, I must remind you again to be careful.

Recent Examples on the Web

The space was replete with the repetitive knocking of drumsticks, the undulating rhythm of Qur’anic prayers, and the gut-wrenching murmur of lamentation coming from That is not still (Sesuatu yang tidak berdiam), a 2024 video work about Indonesia’s diverse soundscape. —Hung Duong, Artforum, 1 Jan. 2026

But they were scattered among long stretches of ugly CG nonsense, repetitive story beats and montages to earlier seasons. —Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 1 Jan. 2026

Members varied in how strongly individual social and repetitive behaviors presented. —The Baltimore Sun, Boston Herald, 30 Dec. 2025

The repetitive plots can be jettisoned. —Ben Travers, IndieWire, 29 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1756, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing repetitive

• repetitive strain injury

Rhymes for repetitive

• appetitive
• competitive
• anticompetitive
• noncompetitive
• uncompetitive

Kids Definition

repetitive

adjective

re·​pet·​i·​tive ri-ˈpet-ət-iv 

: repetitious

repetitively adverb

repetitiveness noun