as in imitative
using or marked by the use of something else as a basis or model
she thought the plots of most action movies were pretty formulaic
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Recent Examples of formulaic
Networking and collaboration tend to follow formulaic, one-size-fits-all methods, failing to fully capture the individuality of the people involved.
—
Glenn Llopis, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2025
Not formulaic—which, of course, is what publishing prefers because formulaic is advertising.
—Erik Pedersen, Oc Register, 8 May 2025
The results are fitfully amusing, sometimes touching and resolutely formulaic.
—Manohla Dargis, New York Times, 1 May 2025
The nature of the two-weekend event leads us to the question: With such an emphasis on formulaic trends, can personal style prevail?
—Cierra Black, Essence, 28 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for formulaic
Glenn Llopis, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2025
Not formulaic—which, of course, is what publishing prefers because formulaic is advertising.
—Erik Pedersen, Oc Register, 8 May 2025
The results are fitfully amusing, sometimes touching and resolutely formulaic.
—Manohla Dargis, New York Times, 1 May 2025
The nature of the two-weekend event leads us to the question: With such an emphasis on formulaic trends, can personal style prevail?
—Cierra Black, Essence, 28 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for formulaic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for formulaic
Adjective
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The word was likely imitative of the deep humming sound male bees make.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
25 May 2025
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The results suggested that felines may have imitative skills and the ability to recognize behavioral similarities.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 May 2025
Adjective
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So far, what AI produces in the way of literature is purely derivative and thus noticeably unoriginal.—
Lizz Schumer,
People.com,
28 May 2025
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The Bond films became nihilistic, and the post-Snyder DC films are notable only for being poor, unoriginal corporate gestures — counterfeit versions of Snyder’s resonant mythologizing.—
Armond White,
National Review,
23 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Formulaic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/formulaic. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
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