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
Explaining Traditions - Folk Behavior In Modern Culture By Simon J. Bronner
This kind of imitative play—not just Cooties but also House or Cops and Robbers—helps children make sense of the world.
—
Bruce Handy, The Atlantic, 16 Apr. 2025
The social self is avoidance-based, conforming, imitative, predictable, planned, and hardworking.
—Ellen Choi, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025
Not surprisingly, Renaissance architects and writers ended up contriving very similar imitative strategies.
—Mario Carpo, Artforum, 1 Feb. 2025
The social self is avoidance-based, conforming, imitative, predictable, planned, and hardworking.
—Ellen Choi, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for imitative
Bruce Handy, The Atlantic, 16 Apr. 2025
The social self is avoidance-based, conforming, imitative, predictable, planned, and hardworking.
—Ellen Choi, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025
Not surprisingly, Renaissance architects and writers ended up contriving very similar imitative strategies.
—Mario Carpo, Artforum, 1 Feb. 2025
The social self is avoidance-based, conforming, imitative, predictable, planned, and hardworking.
—Ellen Choi, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for imitative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for imitative
Adjective
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Some supplements also use synthetic sweeteners or sugar, said Hirsch, which is important for people with diabetes to know.—
Angelica Stabile,
FOXNews.com,
11 July 2025
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To be considered in the oils category, La Tourangelle’s pistachio oil — which won in 2025 — was required to be free of artificial or genetically modified ingredients, grown without synthetic pesticides or herbicides, and milled without heat or chemical extraction.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
11 July 2025
Adjective
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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
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These mimetic dynamics play out not just within countries but between them.—
Gideon Lewis-Kraus,
The New Yorker,
24 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Save on a new faux leather crossbody from Vera Bradley for an impressive 76 percent off, a pair of cork footbed sandals that resemble popular styles worn by Sandra Bullock and Reese Witherspoon.—
Ali Faccenda,
People.com,
9 July 2025
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Without it, as inequality worsens, the next populist may not be a faux champion of the people, but a genuine anti-capitalist insurgent.—
Dan Perry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 July 2025
Adjective
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An entertaining read, though the plots of the books in the series have become a bit formulaic.—
Barbara Ellis,
Denver Post,
6 July 2025
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Their journey to the island is formulaic, sticking to the same familiar Housewives travel schticks.—
Ile-Ife Okantah,
Vulture,
2 June 2025
Adjective
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Darvish, who will turn 39 in August, pitched in simulated games against minor-league hitters twice in the past 12 days.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 July 2025
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This fifth entry goes full sci-fi mayhem, with Milla Jovovich’s Alice waking up in an underwater Umbrella Corporation facility and fighting her way through a series of simulated environments, each more chaotic than the last.—
Travis Bean,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2025
Adjective
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In a recent mock draft, Baseball America speculated the Sox would select Florida State left-hander Jamie Arnold if the run on prep shortstops left him on the board.—
Phil Rogers,
Forbes.com,
11 July 2025
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Ali had ceased looking towards the horizon long before the luminous blue of it became a mock memory.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 July 2025
Adjective
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While trace amounts may still be naturally present in some foods, the ban has virtually eliminated artificial trans fats.—
Brittany Poulson,
People.com,
8 July 2025
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The best sparkling water, our tasters said, should taste clean, refreshing, and should not have any metallic or artificial flavors.—
Sam Stone,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
7 July 2025
Adjective
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Move with the toy, mimic prey behavior, or use your voice and body language to create excitement.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
2 July 2025
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What To Know The number of people using GLP-1 mimic medications like Ozempic has skyrocketed in recent years.—
Mohammed Soliman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Apr. 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 18 Jul. 2025.
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