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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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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of imitative
The crowded true-crime space tends to be an imitative one—a quality that can work in victims’ favor, as with this docuseries, which builds on the empathy-building of its predecessors.
—
Inkoo Kang, The New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2023
The mystery account behind the AI song, identifying as Ghostwriter, left no clues about how the imitative track was brought into being, or what information was fed into programs to create it.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 17 Apr. 2023
Chapter 4 is a triumph of consistent style — a rare distinction among blockbusters usually dependent on conventional, imitative effects.
—Armond White, National Review, 24 Mar. 2023
As the main arc of Dream’s captivity and artifact quest closes in The Sandman’s middle episodes, the series gives way to an anthological structure, imitative of the comics and allowing viewers to meet characters only briefly featured in the series’ source material.
—Josh St. Clair, Men's Health, 8 Aug. 2022
See all Example Sentences for imitative 
Inkoo Kang, The New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2023
The mystery account behind the AI song, identifying as Ghostwriter, left no clues about how the imitative track was brought into being, or what information was fed into programs to create it.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 17 Apr. 2023
Chapter 4 is a triumph of consistent style — a rare distinction among blockbusters usually dependent on conventional, imitative effects.
—Armond White, National Review, 24 Mar. 2023
As the main arc of Dream’s captivity and artifact quest closes in The Sandman’s middle episodes, the series gives way to an anthological structure, imitative of the comics and allowing viewers to meet characters only briefly featured in the series’ source material.
—Josh St. Clair, Men's Health, 8 Aug. 2022
See all Example Sentences for imitative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for imitative
Adjective
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Many drug candidates involve single molecules, often synthetic, but full-spectrum cannabis involves thousands of molecules.—
Benjamin Adams,
Forbes,
24 Jan. 2025
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Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, is an addictive drug that’s led to tens of thousands of overdose deaths each year in the U.S.—
Darla Mercado, CFP®,Evelyn Cheng,
CNBC,
21 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Indeed, what is happening might be better explained by the field of mimetic theory, which recognizes that imitation can drive decisions, stressing the role of volition and social learning in human arrangements.—
Nicholas Eberstadt,
Foreign Affairs,
10 Oct. 2024
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An enduring favorite, the satirical coming-of-age comedy (from director Mark Waters based on a script by Fey) has launched a bevy of endlessly quotable, referential and mimetic turns of phrase.—
Natalie Oganesyan,
Deadline,
9 Sep. 2024
Adjective
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The doll sports a black faux leather ensemble, dark shades, and her signature swooped hairstyle.—
Amber Corrine,
VIBE.com,
21 Jan. 2025
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Outerwear was opulent, with faux fur and substantial shearling collars adorning traditional topcoats at Dolce & Gabbana and Prada.—
Luisa Zargani,
WWD,
21 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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This goes beyond formulaic capsule wardrobe dressing, and instead, relies on individuality and preferences.—
Cortne Bonilla,
Vogue,
17 Jan. 2025
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Today’s leaders should adopt a similar formulaic mindset: Long-term growth comes from re-investing in their organization and in their people to continue building skills, expanding knowledge across their enterprise, and, with the rise in technology, increasing tech fluency.—
Muqsit Ashraf,
Forbes,
17 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The novel's exploration of simulated gravitationless environments underscores the incredible potential of science while highlighting the responsibilities that come with such power.—
William Mullane,
USA TODAY,
10 Jan. 2025
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Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania were able to persuade a simulated self-driving car to ignore stop signs and even drive off a bridge, get a wheeled robot to find the best place to detonate a bomb, and force a four-legged robot to spy on people and enter restricted areas.—
Will Knight,
WIRED,
4 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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One person that many pay attention to is Mel Kiper, who has been a mock draft extraordinaire for decades.—
Raul A. Reyes,
Newsweek,
22 Jan. 2025
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The following scenes are set in that show and tell the ogre's story through life-size wooden puppets complete with mock strings attached to their arms.—
Caroline Reid,
Forbes,
18 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Why is red 40 banned? California became the first state in the U.S. to enact a ban red 40 in September, when Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into law a bill that will prohibit schools from serving foods containing six artificial food dyes, including red 40.—
Hannah Yasharoff,
USA TODAY,
21 Jan. 2025
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Throughout Trump’s long history of cashing in on his personal brand, there has never been such a dramatic injection of artificial value.—
Will Gottsegen,
The Atlantic,
20 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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That is, the mimic leaves were longer, and less lobed.—
Ari Daniel,
NPR,
14 Sep. 2024
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Sting is also a mimic, able to copy Charlotte’s whistle, even though, as the slightly creepy would-be scientist living upstairs tells her, spiders don’t have vocal cords.—
Bill Goodykoontz,
The Arizona Republic,
11 Apr. 2024
Video
A Look at Uncommon Onomatopoeia
Some imitative words are more surprising than others
Thesaurus Entries Near imitative
Cite this Entry
“Imitative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imitative. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.
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