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
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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
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Recent Examples of imitative
Conversations in dorm rooms and lecture halls consist of roughly 97% university-loathing and imitative protests to fire coaches and athletic directors.
—
Noah White, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for imitative
Noah White, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for imitative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for imitative
Adjective
-
The findings made clear that synthetic chemicals produced for agricultural, industrial and medical applications are ending up in the ocean, according to researchers.—
Julia Jacobo,
ABC News,
16 Mar. 2026
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Kunselman advises skipping synthetic rugs as well.—
Sarah Lyon,
Southern Living,
16 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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This image oscillates between mimetic naturalism and the geometry of the digital design process.—
Thomas Demand,
Artforum,
2 Nov. 2025
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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
Adjective
-
The faux mock neck appearance when the long-sleeve sweater’s zipped up gives it a little something extra.—
Nashia Baker,
Architectural Digest,
17 Mar. 2026
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This faux leather style features an elegant, rounded collar and scrunched sleeves that together create a bold, endlessly versatile piece that can be thrown over a dress and knee-high boots for an afternoon brunch, or paired with denim and sneakers for a day of exploring.—
Julia Morlino,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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As for his pitching buildup, Ohtani has faced hitters only in live batting practice and simulated-game settings this spring.—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
16 Mar. 2026
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Per Roberts, Ohtani threw four innings in a simulated game while with Team Japan last Thursday.—
Jack Vita,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Of course, formulaic crime dramas can be comforting.—
Graham Hillard,
The Washington Examiner,
20 Mar. 2026
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More crucially, everything to do with the onboard alien is far too cute and formulaic.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The 287-foot freighter was intentionally sunk to create an artificial reef in 1985.—
David Goodhue,
Miami Herald,
14 Mar. 2026
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The artificial septet also nabbed the trophy for worst supporting actor.—
Lisa Respers France,
CNN Money,
14 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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This mock draft has edge rushers off the board with the second, third and fourth selections.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Mar. 2026
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Fast forward through a remote interview, an in-person interview and a mock assignment, and Manaois had landed the job.—
Sarah Jackson,
CNBC,
17 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The difference between a real deadline, imposed for legitimate reasons from without, and a fake one, conjured from within, is like the difference between eating brunch and seeing it on Instagram.—
Joshua Rothman,
New Yorker,
20 Mar. 2026
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Later, O’Brien touted a fake company tasked with reformatting movies for smaller and smaller handheld devices, but the joke missed the mark.—
Peter Tonguette,
The Washington Examiner,
20 Mar. 2026
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 21 Mar. 2026.
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