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
That combination could give the rom-com a feel that stands apart from more formulaic entries in the genre.
—
Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 13 Feb. 2026
The biggest one is that the team has reworked how victories are achieved so that campaigns feel less formulaic, adhering to the goals of the age.
—Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 4 Feb. 2026
But neither the writers nor the actors are interested in anything so formulaic.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 30 Jan. 2026
The music is heavy-footed and formulaic.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for formulaic
Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 13 Feb. 2026
The biggest one is that the team has reworked how victories are achieved so that campaigns feel less formulaic, adhering to the goals of the age.
—Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 4 Feb. 2026
But neither the writers nor the actors are interested in anything so formulaic.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 30 Jan. 2026
The music is heavy-footed and formulaic.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 29 Jan. 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
-
This makes your home feel intentional and personal instead of sterile and unoriginal.—
Ashlyn Needham,
The Spruce,
8 Jan. 2026
-
This seems a rather unoriginal name to be chosen by a woman whose talent lay with words.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Formulaic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/formulaic. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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