imitative

adjective

ˈi-mə-ˌtā-tiv How to pronounce imitative (audio)
Definition of imitativenext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 imitative The word is likely imitative (onomatopoeic), echoing the sound of heavy breathing during sleep. — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2026 Since then, whenever new tools to crank out communications have become available, somebody has flooded the zone with the fastest, most imitative material that could garner attention. — Deni Ellis Béchard, Scientific American, 8 Nov. 2025 It may be borrowed or coined, named after a person, inspired by a place or imitative of a sound. — Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2025 Conversations in dorm rooms and lecture halls consist of roughly 97% university-loathing and imitative protests to fire coaches and athletic directors. — Noah White, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for imitative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for imitative
  1. mimetic
  2. synthetic
  3. formulaic
  4. faux
  5. mock
  6. simulated
  7. unoriginal
  8. artificial
Adjective
  • Thiel is a serious intellectual shaped by René Girard, his mentor at Stanford, whose mimetic theory of violence and sacrifice underpins much of how Thiel sees the world.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 18 July 2026
  • It’s supposed to be mimetic of speech.
    — Andrew Marantz, New Yorker, 5 Apr. 2026
Definition of mimetic
Adjective
  • The modular design addresses a limitation in conventional synthetic biology.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 18 Aug. 2026
  • If your product generates synthetic text, images, audio or video that reaches the EU, that content has to be marked in a machine-readable format, with a short grace window to December 2, 2026 for systems already on the market.
    — Kuan Archer, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of synthetic
Adjective
  • Like the latter, Lanterns is smarter, more mature, less formulaic, and more stylishly made than the identikit Marvel brand extensions that are now the industry standard.
    — Judy Berman, Time, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Not only would the ’70s see a precipitous rise of in the number of Hollywood sequels, but any film that managed to cut through the zeitgeist gave birth to handfuls of quick, formulaic, often cheaply made, copycats.
    — Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of formulaic
Adjective
  • The titular protagonist of Isador Machete Cortez enjoys a bizarre history, originating in the first Spy Kids movie before taking center stage in a faux trailer created for Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino’s exploitation throwback, Grindhouse.
    — Josh Weiss, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
  • The chrome finish and low-profile faux leather seat lend a contemporary look to any kitchen.
    — BestReviews, Mercury News, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of faux
Adjective
  • Featuring a slimming silhouette, this mock-neck sweater is polished enough for the office but can pull double duty as casual wear on the weekends.
    — Emily Weaver, PEOPLE, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Participants will tour city buildings, engage in mock activities and meet directly with department leaders from City Hall, Finance, Police, Fire and Public Works, the release said.
    — Aurora Beacon-News, Chicago Tribune, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of mock
Adjective
  • That is important, as the show includes simulated rain showers with real water pouring down on the stage from above.
    — Dillon Thomas, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026
  • The demonstration, however, shows that a modern aero gas turbine can operate on 100 percent hydrogen through the changing conditions of a full simulated flight cycle, providing another step toward lower-carbon aviation.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of simulated
Adjective
  • Summary Leaders are increasingly sounding generic, often using similar buzzwords, a trend exacerbated by AI's ability to generate competent but unoriginal communication.
    — Cheryl Robinson, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
  • No moral panic is more unoriginal than the fear that contemporary men are no longer as manly as the heroes who preceded them.
    — Elizabeth Dray, STAT, 21 July 2026
Definition of unoriginal
Adjective
  • The expert becomes the manager of an artificial team, reviewing, redirecting, correcting, and sharpening outputs at speed.
    — Ethan M. Stone, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2026
  • What happens if artificial companionship becomes society’s default response to loneliness, dementia, disability, and a shortage of human care?
    — Belonging Forum, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of artificial

Browse Nearby Words

imitations
imitative
imitator
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Cite this Entry

“Imitative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imitative. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of imitative for Spanish Speakers

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