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
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
Even the most insipid formulaic pop nonsense can induce that almost mystical reflection of life if your connections to the time of its airplay are meaningful.
—Jody Mamone, Hartford Courant, 27 Jan. 2026
Emotional depth and suspense both seem out of reach in a story that moves along briskly enough, without ever feeling like more than a formulaic outline.
—Dennis Harvey, Variety, 23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for formulaic
David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 30 Jan. 2026
The music is heavy-footed and formulaic.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 29 Jan. 2026
Even the most insipid formulaic pop nonsense can induce that almost mystical reflection of life if your connections to the time of its airplay are meaningful.
—Jody Mamone, Hartford Courant, 27 Jan. 2026
Emotional depth and suspense both seem out of reach in a story that moves along briskly enough, without ever feeling like more than a formulaic outline.
—Dennis Harvey, Variety, 23 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 22 Feb. 2026.
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