duplicative

American  

[doo-pli-key-tiv, dyoo-] / ˈdu plɪˌkeɪ tɪv, ˈdju- /

adjective

1. involving duplication, especially unnecessary repetition of effort or resources.

   The report will highlight examples of wasteful or duplicative spending.

   The new “No-Hassle” rule eliminates duplicative luggage screening requirements for passengers originating from certain airports.

2. done the same way more than once; effectively identical.

   A new law allows state agencies to ignore records requests they deem to be duplicative or substantially similar to previous requests.

---

Other Word Forms

• nonduplicative
  adjective
• unduplicative
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of duplicative

First recorded in 1820–30; duplicat(e) ( def. ) + -ive ( def. )

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

duplicative

Part of the rollback of marketing rules was driven by feedback from brokers and agents, who saw the protocols as too restrictive or too duplicative.

From MarketWatch ● Apr. 24, 2026

BP stated the resolution is duplicative, ignores its broader investment criteria, and complicates a goal of simplifying reporting processes.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 6, 2026

Combined with China’s anti-involution drive, there will be a focus on reducing wasteful and duplicative investment while improving synergies and building on China’s long-term strategic direction.

From Barron's ● Mar. 6, 2026

The administration says there’s a more innocent explanation, telling the Guardian that the files weren’t released because they’re duplicative of material that already came out.

From Slate ● Feb. 27, 2026

Teapot did not end the debate in Washington over the country’s two duplicative bomb labs.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik