FORMULAIC Synonyms: 54 Similar and Opposite Words

formulaic

adjective

ˌfȯr-myə-ˈlā-ik

Definition of formulaic

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 formulaic Growing up, Ahmed recalls his parents watching Indian soap operas, which were formulaic and often featured family events with everyone dressed in their finest garb, inevitably ending in a dramatic bust-up. — Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 12 Aug. 2026 Barnes & Noble had just been taken private by Elliott Advisors for $683 million after sales declines driven by formulaic stores that had lost their charm. — Phil Wahba, Fortune, 3 Aug. 2026 Grant writing offers a predictable, formulaic path to cash flow compared to the unpredictable grind of B2B sales or direct-to-consumer acquisition. — Allbusiness, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026 Instead of the formulaic increases that determine ATP 500 prize money, there is a minimum prize money total required for WTA 500s as determined each year by the WTA, but tournaments can voluntarily exceed those amounts. — Lev Akabas, Sportico.com, 31 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for formulaic

Recent Examples of Synonyms for formulaic

Adjective

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

Definition of imitative

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

Browse Nearby Words

formula

formulaic

formulas

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Formulaic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/formulaic. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of formulaic

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

conscientious

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Popular in Wordplay

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes