Synonyms of formulaic

formulaic

adjective

ˌfȯr-myə-ˈlā-ik 

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• imitative
• unoriginal
• imitation
• emulative
• mimetic
• mock
• misleading
• slavish
• deceptive
• copied
• canned
• false
• mimic
• apish
• fraudulent
• epigonic
• synthetic
• artificial
• perfunctory
• routine
• sham
• fake
• bogus
• simulated
• counterfeit
• uninspired
• cut-and-dried
• substitute
• factitious
• duplicated
• reproduced
• plagiarized
• photocopied
• cribbed
• reduplicated
• transcribed
• forged
• backup
• man-made

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• original
• true
• legitimate
• authentic
• real
• bona fide
• archetypal
• natural
• genuine
• classic
• ideal
• model

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of formulaic

Slop is formulaic and impersonal, the aggregate of everything that is already imitating everything else. — Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2026

Episodes tended to be repetitive and formulaic and the level of detail devoted to knowledge varied widely. — ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026

Like the latter, Lanterns is smarter, more mature, less formulaic, and more stylishly made than the identikit Marvel brand extensions that are now the industry standard. — Judy Berman, Time, 14 Aug. 2026

Growing up, Ahmed recalls his parents watching Indian soap operas, which were formulaic and often featured family events with everyone dressed in their finest garb, inevitably ending in a dramatic bust-up. — Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 12 Aug. 2026