1
as in imitation
using or marked by the use of something else as a basis or model
your writing style tends to be imitative of whichever author you've recently read
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in synthetic
being such in appearance only and made with or manufactured from usually cheaper materials
an imitative extract never has the flavor of the real thing
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of imitative
Third-party imitative learning from an immigrating parrot’s flockmates may facilitate overall group integration and social bonding and may even give rise to cultural conventions of coordinated movements or gestures.
—
Grrlscientist, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
In Roeck’s picture, competitive, rather than imitative, habits of mind rose from religious warfare, establishing a cutthroat system of cultural and economic innovation which lasts to this day.
—Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 28 July 2025
Nautilus is bold in its changes to Captain Nemo’s story — new monsters, new villains — but imitative to other genre series in execution, and the vibe is a little didactic.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 25 June 2025
The results suggested that felines may have imitative skills and the ability to recognize behavioral similarities.
—Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for imitative
Grrlscientist, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
In Roeck’s picture, competitive, rather than imitative, habits of mind rose from religious warfare, establishing a cutthroat system of cultural and economic innovation which lasts to this day.
—Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 28 July 2025
Nautilus is bold in its changes to Captain Nemo’s story — new monsters, new villains — but imitative to other genre series in execution, and the vibe is a little didactic.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 25 June 2025
The results suggested that felines may have imitative skills and the ability to recognize behavioral similarities.
—Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for imitative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for imitative
Adjective
-
Established in 2024, the group is named after the synthetic chemical element Bk, discovered in and named after the city of Berkeley in 1949.—
Randy McMullen,
Mercury News,
23 Oct. 2025
-
The vessel has other eco details such as synthetic teak that replicates authentic teak in both looks and the ability to stay cool underfoot, a bio-resin in the layup, among others.—
Michael Verdon,
Robb Report,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
This recycling of historical materials, multiplied by the dozens of characters developed in Bomarzo, produces a mimetic effect.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 Aug. 2025
-
To get robotic collectives closer to Terminator’s mimetic polyalloy, the team wants to make the robots smaller.—
Ars Technica,
Ars Technica,
1 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
This faux Dunhill Fir is designed to look and feel like a tree plucked straight off the lot, without the single-season lifespan or mess of shedding needles.—
Maggie Horton,
PEOPLE,
22 Oct. 2025
-
That kind of skeuomorphism—the design of a digital interface to resemble a physical one, by, for example, adding a faux-metal texture to a calculator app—has been out of fashion for more than a decade, ever since Apple moved away from it in the early twenty-tens.—
Kyle Chayka,
New Yorker,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Similarly, structured equity entails hammering out a capital solution specific to each company; there is no formulaic approach.—
Mike Terwilliger,
Fortune,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Onscreen, those priorities can translate into movies that feel at once formulaic and improbable.—
Katy Waldman,
New Yorker,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The demonstration featured live artillery fire from M777 Howitzers, amphibious vehicle maneuvers, and simulated explosives at Red Beach within Camp Pendleton.—
Hollie Silverman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Oct. 2025
-
The White House, Navy and Marines had been privately discussing whether the exercise — which is expected to involve the use of ammo and ordnance during simulated warfare — warranted a freeway closure.—
Gary Robbins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Continue reading … KEEPS ON GIVING – Joe Rogan and Andrew Schulz mock Harris' claim of people calling her most qualified presidential candidate.—
,
FOXNews.com,
21 Oct. 2025
-
Well, this mock neck zipped jacket is a far more flattering, wearable option that’s currently sporting a $20 price tag and a full range of sizes.—
Merrell Readman,
Travel + Leisure,
18 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
China now dominates the sector globally, yet state support has also created artificial market saturation, driving price wars and an ongoing wave of company failures.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
24 Oct. 2025
-
In lieu of any artificial sweeteners, Javvy uses Sukre which, like Stevia, is a natural alternative.—
Adam Campbell-Schmitt,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The transparent glass shapes create elegant light paths when your tree is lit, while the opaque white designs mimic paper lanterns.—
Audrey Lee,
Architectural Digest,
21 Oct. 2025
-
To give big box retailers a price-friendly option, the firm presented 100 percent cotton fabrics that mimic linen’s slub pattern.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
20 Oct. 2025
Video
A Look at Uncommon Onomatopoeia
Some imitative words are more surprising than others
Cite this Entry
“Imitative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imitative. Accessed 25 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share