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Definition of duplicative

duplicative

/duːˈplɪk.ə.tɪv/
du · pli · ca · tive
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duplicative Lexical Profile

duplicative Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Having the quality of duplicating or repeating something already done, especially in a way that is unnecessary, wasteful, or redundant.

Example

"The audit revealed several duplicative government programs that could be consolidated to save taxpayer money."

2

Serving to make an exact copy or reproduction of something.

Example

"The archive relies on duplicative microfilming techniques to preserve fragile historical newspapers."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for duplicative
Antonyms
View all antonyms for duplicative

Word Nuance & Usage

While 'duplicate' simply identifies an exact copy, 'duplicative' is used primarily in legal, governmental, and administrative contexts to criticize processes, regulations, or filings that unnecessarily repeat existing work.

• Rhymes for duplicative

• Nearby Words

duplicable
duplicate
duplication
duplicative
duplicator
duplicitous
duplicitously

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed in the 19th century from the Latin past participle stem 'duplicat-' (from 'duplicare', meaning 'to double') combined with the English adjective suffix '-ive'.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Duplicative. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/duplicative
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