formulaic
adjective
for·mu·la·ic
ˌfȯr-myə-ˈlā-ik 
1
: produced according to a formula or set of formulas : adhering to set forms or conventions
a formulaic response
a movie with a formulaic plot
… much of the will's language was formulaic, in accordance with Venetian customs.—
Laurence Bergreen
Laurence BergreenThe film … uses simple, formulaic storytelling to spin the tale of Bella, a rescued pit bull who makes her way home after a two-year walkabout.—Katie Walsh
Katie Walsh2
: of or relating to a mathematical formula
Those projections prompted the department to evaluate the state tax withholding tables. In September, the department found the formulaic error that had apparently been there, undetected, for at least 15 years.—Kathryn Palmer
Kathryn Palmer
formulaically
adverb
… his songs still stick formulaically to the surface of pop entertainments.
—David Sargent
David Sargent
The price of admission to local social functions is often expressed formulaically as 'Gentlemen $2, ladies a plate', meaning a plate of scones or the like.
—Robert Burchfield
Robert Burchfield
Examples of formulaic in a Sentence
she thought the plots of most action movies were pretty formulaic
Recent Examples on the Web
Sporting a red Valentino blazer with peaked lapels and a matching sash, along with a slim pair of flared trousers, Domingo showed that even the most formulaic outfit can still be playful.
—Brett F. Braley-Palko, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025
But the more formulaic education becomes, the worse the outcomes seem to be.
—Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 27 Feb. 2025
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She also demonstrated that the format was flexible and hardly formulaic.
—Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 19 Dec. 2024
However, like all trends, a litany of formulaic bands would eventually sprout from the scene and spoil some of the otherwise refreshing innovation established by metalcore’s pioneering acts.
—Quentin Thane Singer, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for formulaic
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Brett F. Braley-Palko, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025
But the more formulaic education becomes, the worse the outcomes seem to be.
—Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 27 Feb. 2025
Related Articles Roberto Chavez, Iconic Artist Who Influenced Generations of Chicanx Artists, Dies at 92
Lorraine O'Grady, Conceptual Artist Who Advocated for Black Women's Perspectives, Dies at 90
She also demonstrated that the format was flexible and hardly formulaic.
—Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 19 Dec. 2024
However, like all trends, a litany of formulaic bands would eventually sprout from the scene and spoil some of the otherwise refreshing innovation established by metalcore’s pioneering acts.
—Quentin Thane Singer, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for formulaic
Cite this Entry
“Formulaic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/formulaic. Accessed 10 Mar. 2025.
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