Synonyms of imitative

imitative

adjective

ˈi-mə-ˌtā-tiv 

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• synthetic
• imitation
• faux
• simulated
• artificial
• fake
• dummy
• false
• mock
• mimic
• factitious
• ersatz
• manufactured
• substitute
• counterfeit
• bogus
• pretend
• designer
• sham
• process
• deceptive
• man-made
• cultured
• manipulated
• unauthentic
• engineered
• forged
• fabricated
• adulterated
• misleading
• fraudulent
• pseudo
• concocted
• spurious
• phony
• feigned
• doctored
• affected
• fudged
• pinchbeck
• juggled
• tampered (with)
• brummagem

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• real
• natural
• genuine
• true
• legitimate
• authentic
• bona fide
• valuable
• quality
• pure
• premium
• unadulterated

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of imitative

The word is likely imitative (onomatopoeic), echoing the sound of heavy breathing during sleep. — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2026

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, 20 Oct. 2025

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

Video

A Look at Uncommon Onomatopoeia

Some imitative words are more surprising than others