as in imitative
using or marked by the use of something else as a basis or model
critics faulted the novel for having a painfully unoriginal plot
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of unoriginal
Issues Regarding Ethics And Credibility The rise of AI content raises significant ethical questions, including biased information (depending on the topic and tool), a lack of transparent attribution and blurred lines between original and unoriginal content.
—
Angeley Mullins, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
The puzzles and platforming are forgettable and unoriginal.
—G Kirilloff, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
But his unoriginal storytelling undermines the novel’s moral complication.
—Lily Meyer, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2025
The idea may be just as unoriginal as florals for spring.
—Adrianna Rodriguez, USA TODAY, 7 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unoriginal
Angeley Mullins, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
The puzzles and platforming are forgettable and unoriginal.
—G Kirilloff, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
But his unoriginal storytelling undermines the novel’s moral complication.
—Lily Meyer, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2025
The idea may be just as unoriginal as florals for spring.
—Adrianna Rodriguez, USA TODAY, 7 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unoriginal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unoriginal
Adjective
-
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
Adjective
-
Not formulaic—which, of course, is what publishing prefers because formulaic is advertising.—
Erik Pedersen,
Oc Register,
8 May 2025
-
The results are fitfully amusing, sometimes touching and resolutely formulaic.—
Manohla Dargis,
New York Times,
1 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unoriginal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unoriginal. Accessed 25 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share