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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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.
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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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While oxycodone and other addictive prescription painkillers kicked off the opioid epidemic in the U.S, synthetic drugs such as fentanyl have become the drug responsible for the most overdose deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2024
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Swap Faux for Real Faux greenery and other synthetic materials are being left behind this holiday season, according to Jessica Thomas, the style and design director at Better Homes and Gardens magazine.Halee Miller Van Ryswyk, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Nov. 2024
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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Brands from Old Navy to Gucci have introduced burgundy into their fall collections, showing faux suede outerwear, lush sweaters and trendy footwear.Jane Hanson, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
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Add a faux fur skirt or garland around the tree for an elevated approach to the decade.Isabella Milano, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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Indeed, the main trouble here is that the material is formulaic without being particularly funny or touching within those confines, its stabs at quirkiness seldom developed in a way this capable cast can take flight with.Dennis Harvey, Variety, 23 Oct. 2024
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This formulaic approach fails to recognize the individuality of each person.Ludmila Praslova, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024
Adjective
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In a development that bridges science, art and citizen science, a father-daughter team from the United States has successfully decoded a simulated extraterrestrial signal beamed from Mars.Tom Howarth FOLLOW, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024
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Currently, offensive strategies like penetration testing, vulnerability assessments and simulated breaches are typically conducted once or twice a year.Candan Bolukbas, Forbes, 24 Oct. 2024
Adjective
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Wear rubber gloves and clip a mangled licking branch (which holds the forehead and saliva scent of several bucks and does) from atop an active scrape and wire it over a mock scrape near your stand.Michael Hanback, Outdoor Life, 7 Nov. 2024
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Students around the country are getting mock elections, nine-week campaign courses and field trips to the polls, where many high school seniors will vote for their first time on Tuesday.Lexi Lonas Cochran, The Hill, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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Aedes aegypti mosquitoes do not need much water to reproduce and tend to lay eggs just above the water line in small, artificial sources of water, like buckets, pet dishes, fountains and bird baths, plant pots and saucers and old tires.Nollyanne Delacruz, The Mercury News, 16 Nov. 2024
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The series intends Penn to be a contrast point, to make her smooth wheeling and dealing feel artificial compared with Wyler’s more passionate righteousness, but her presence ends up emphasizing how hollow Wyler’s character actually feels.Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 13 Nov. 2024
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 21 Nov. 2024.
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