noun
- the practice or quality of being an epigone; imitative or derivative work that lacks originality
Usage: formal; literary criticism
Examples
- The critic dismissed the novel as mere epigonism, a pale shadow of the author's earlier masterworks.
- His paintings were criticized for epigonism rather than artistic vision.
- The movement fell into epigonism after its founding members retired.
- She accused the younger composers of epigonism, claiming they merely copied the classical masters.
- The film's epigonism was evident in its reliance on tired tropes and recycled plot devices.