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
Nevertheless, the actress recognized that Twin Peaks was a far cry from the formulaic television of the past.
—
EW.com, 8 Apr. 2025
So everything in films has to be formulaic; the images and the dialogue now reinforce each other to such an absurd degree because audiences are distracted.
—The New Yorker, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2025
Just like when Jay suggests adding dates to Naveen’s father’s dish, what could have been a formulaic rom-com turns out to be a new recipe that should be served immediately to the whole family.
—Reneysh Vittal, Them., 4 Apr. 2025
Many of the messages seemed bland or formulaic.
—Adam Iscoe, New Yorker, 31 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for formulaic
EW.com, 8 Apr. 2025
So everything in films has to be formulaic; the images and the dialogue now reinforce each other to such an absurd degree because audiences are distracted.
—The New Yorker, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2025
Just like when Jay suggests adding dates to Naveen’s father’s dish, what could have been a formulaic rom-com turns out to be a new recipe that should be served immediately to the whole family.
—Reneysh Vittal, Them., 4 Apr. 2025
Many of the messages seemed bland or formulaic.
—Adam Iscoe, New Yorker, 31 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for formulaic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for formulaic
Adjective
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Explaining Traditions - Folk Behavior In Modern Culture By Simon J. Bronner This kind of imitative play—not just Cooties but also House or Cops and Robbers—helps children make sense of the world.—
Bruce Handy,
The Atlantic,
16 Apr. 2025
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The social self is avoidance-based, conforming, imitative, predictable, planned, and hardworking.—
Ellen Choi,
Forbes,
25 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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These stories are shockingly unoriginal, both in the real world and in films and television.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
11 Apr. 2025
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Using Trite Business Jargon Nothing screams unoriginal like a LinkedIn profile filled with corporate buzzwords.—
William Arruda,
Forbes.com,
6 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Formulaic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/formulaic. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
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