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
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
The results suggested that felines may have imitative skills and the ability to recognize behavioral similarities.
—Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for imitative
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
The results suggested that felines may have imitative skills and the ability to recognize behavioral similarities.
—Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for imitative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for imitative
Adjective
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The Hidden Costs of Conventional Pest Control Conventional pest control methods often rely heavily on synthetic chemical use to provide homeowners with quick solutions to pest problems.—
Malana VanTyler,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
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But the actual technology itself, the idea of artificial intelligence and synthetic creations that are lifelike and seem real — that’s an absolute threat.—
Cynthia Littleton,
Variety,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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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
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To get robotic collectives closer to Terminator’s mimetic polyalloy, the team wants to make the robots smaller.—
Ars Technica,
Ars Technica,
1 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Heathyoga Pleated Dress Pants Heathyoga cozy-fied the idea of a classic dress pant with an elastic waistband, faux back pockets, real side pockets, a faux fly, and belt loops.—
Olivia Young,
Travel + Leisure,
6 Nov. 2025
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The bootie slippers are covered in a striking microwool and lined with pillowy faux fur that’s super warming.—
Clara McMahon,
PEOPLE,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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The controller repeatedly hit its target orientation during follow-up tests, proving that the system could handle real conditions rather than simulated ones.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
7 Nov. 2025
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In Missouri, for example, a new law requires students to participate in active shooter exercises in the 2026-2027 school year; staff may also participate in simulated active shooter drills.—
Alana Semuels,
Time,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Most biopics about musicians are pastiche, formulaic, and even when highly entertaining, end up being less informative than a Wikipedia entry.—
Richard Newby,
HollywoodReporter,
29 Oct. 2025
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Similarly, structured equity entails hammering out a capital solution specific to each company; there is no formulaic approach.—
Mike Terwilliger,
Fortune,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Tests in both artificial and real human saliva produced the same result, demonstrating that the single-application ELR coating could recreate enamel and withstand real-world impacts.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
5 Nov. 2025
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The artificial plateau made from earth, with connecting causeways, canals and corridors, was built in southeastern Mexico 3,050 years ago and used for around 300 years.—
Katie Hunt,
CNN Money,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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What really makes the dress stand out is its chic details, which includes a structured seam around the waist, gold-tone decorative buttons, and a mock neckline.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
5 Nov. 2025
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The eye-rolling, groaning, mock-despair brings the group together.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Punter Sean West — whose long 24-yard heave on a fake punt outgained every quarterback on the roster.—
Ira Gorawara,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
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Green expertly applies fake eyelashes, thick foundation and a dessert brown eye look, while Messina goes to work piling tight curls atop my head.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
9 Nov. 2025
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 12 Nov. 2025.
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