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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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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
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In fact, the common liquor, distilled from grains or potatoes, can be a natural alternative to many synthetic cleaning products and an inexpensive, shelf-stable swap in a pinch.—
Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner,
Martha Stewart,
11 Apr. 2026
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The raids, each the result of unrelated Drug Enforcement Administration investigations that occurred within six hours on Wednesday, targeted large-scale packaging operations, where the synthetic opioid was parceled into glassine envelopes before making its way to the streets.—
Colin Mixson,
New York Daily News,
11 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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It’s supposed to be mimetic of speech.—
Andrew Marantz,
New Yorker,
5 Apr. 2026
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One of the most delightful examples of mimetic architecture along Route 66, this West Hollywood gem does exactly what the structure suggests: serves mouthwatering hot dogs.—
Zoey Goto,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The rustic Irish restaurant and bar’s interior décor, fixtures and kitchen equipment were auctioned off last week, with items ranging from $60 for a faux antique rifle to $1,600 for a commercial mixer.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Apr. 2026
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The simulation is so immersive that windows, shaped like those of a plane, show drifting clouds as the room trembles with faux turbulence.—
Chris Malloy,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
14 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Snell will continue to build up his workload in a simulated game environment, before eventually leaving on a minor-league rehab assignment.—
Maddie Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Apr. 2026
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The startup has previously enlisted AI systems to run actual or simulated vending machines — a microcosm for capitalist endeavors — in partnership with some of the world’s leading AI companies.—
David Ingram,
NBC news,
11 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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But the increasingly formulaic press tour can be gruelingly repetitive.—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
15 Apr. 2026
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The scheme is formulaic but effective.—
Ben Weiss,
Fortune,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Such spending flourishes in secrecy, and this year’s artificial rush toward a last-minute deal suggests that more giveaways are coming.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
11 Apr. 2026
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Pasricha also advises her patients to steer clear of foods with artificial sweeteners - often advertised as sugar-free - because they're known to cause diarrhea and bloating.—
Andrea Muraskin,
NPR,
11 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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In 1985, a mock trial was held in Jerusalem against Mengele, and Spiegel was called as a witness.—
Alexandra Schonfeld,
PEOPLE,
14 Apr. 2026
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The mock neck, cap sleeves, and gold hardware cinching the waist give it a polished, elevated look that could easily pass for something much pricier.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
14 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg last week accused Meta of failing to remove imposter accounts that Bragg said pose as organizations like Catholic Charities to offer fake immigration services that scam money from unsuspecting victims.—
Aaron Katersky,
ABC News,
17 Apr. 2026
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Brooke Sutton / Getty Images The pair allegedly used fake personal financial and bank statements, driver's licenses, and Secretary of State documents in an attempt to trick lenders into believing that the loans were for companies owned by the players.—
Dan Raby,
CBS News,
17 Apr. 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 Apr. 2026.
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