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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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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
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
Adjective
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It’s supposed to be mimetic of speech.
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This recycling of historical materials, multiplied by the dozens of characters developed in Bomarzo, produces a mimetic effect.
Adjective
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Tight or synthetic clothing can increase bacterial growth on the skin, including in areas that promote UTIs, due to additional sweating.
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Their work ultimately led to the creation of the first synthetic hydrogel made from poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate), or pHEMA.
Adjective
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Plath famously spent years trying and failing to master formulaic, commercial short fiction for magazines like Ladies’ Home Journal and The Saturday Evening Post.
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Craft unique, non-formulaic hooks to grab attention.
Adjective
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Inside, a memory foam insole with arch support cushions every step, and the soft faux leather molds to your ideal fit over time.
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The white interior and faux leather are also available in Overland and reviewed Limited trims.
Adjective
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On Thursday, Gary Police Department personnel visited campers to teach about crime scene investigation and create a mock crime scene for students to solve.
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An 11-year-old Dexter Sol Ansell is peering into his Zoom camera, hands pressed to his cheeks and mouth wide open in mock shock.
Adjective
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During simulated testing and real-world trials, crews reported experiencing up to six times fewer body vibrations than on traditional diesel boats.
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These displays of simulated compassion can evolve into romance scams or attempts to defraud beneficiaries out of inheritance money.
Adjective
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The film's trailer looked unoriginal and uninteresting.
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The first stage began in July 2025, when Meta announced comprehensive measures targeting accounts that repeatedly share unoriginal content without meaningful enhancement, building on enforcement actions that had already been taken against 500,000 accounts in the first half of the year.
Adjective
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The West should also stop drawing artificial distinctions that favor Russian escalation management over Ukrainian survival.
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Instead of using artificial colors, look for ingredients that naturally fit the bill.
Video
A Look at Uncommon Onomatopoeia
Some imitative words are more surprising than others
Cite this Entry
“Imitative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imitative. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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