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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Many inexpensive clip-in hairpieces are not made from real hair, but from synthetic hair.Anna Bader, Glamour, 13 Dec. 2024
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The former street performer was homeless, suffered from schizophrenia and had synthetic marijuana in his system.Jennifer Jacobs, CBS News, 13 Dec. 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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The look featured a cropped black faux fur coat with white details along the cuffs, collar and pockets.Catherine Santino, People.com, 11 Dec. 2024
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This Pillow Cover With a Metallic Design Made from faux leather, this pillow cover creates an abstract and modern look in every room.Mia Meltzer, Rolling Stone, 10 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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The relentless focus on data, numbers and financial efficiency has created a formulaic approach to communication that lacks emotional and creative innovation.Flavio Vidigal, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024
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Any real feelings on their albums are quickly overrun by generic, formulaic drivel.Matt Thompson, SPIN, 28 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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The researchers got a simulated robot arm to do unsafe things like knocking items off a table or throwing them by describing actions in ways that the LLM did not recognize as harmful and reject.Will Knight, WIRED, 4 Dec. 2024
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These networks were trained with both simulated and real-world data, taken in 22 rooms of varied sizes and sound-absorbing qualitieswith different combinations of human subjects.IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 3 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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In August 2022, China launched a mock military blockade of Taiwan after Nancy Pelosi became the first serving U.S. House speaker to visit the island in 25 years.Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2024
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There are the burgers, wings, tacos and nachos along with craft and mock cocktails, wine and of course beers, which are available in 40-ounce steins.Cheryl V. Jackson, The Indianapolis Star, 9 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Keep scrolling to check out these artificial Christmas trees that will arrive at your door in just a few days — prices start at $18.Toni Sutton, People.com, 11 Dec. 2024
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However, there’s one thing artificial trees lack that real trees have in abundance: fragrance.Cody Godwin, USA TODAY, 11 Dec. 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 22 Dec. 2024.
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