1. Plural of epigonism; instances or practices of imitating or following slavishly in the manner of an epigone (an inferior imitator or follower of a great artist or thinker).
Usage: Literary and academic usage; Often used critically to describe derivative or unoriginal work

Examples

• The critic dismissed the novel as one of many epigonisms that flooded the market after the original's success.
• His paintings were criticized as epigonisms rather than genuine artistic contributions.
• The movement was plagued by epigonisms from lesser artists who lacked the founder's vision.
• Literary scholars often distinguish between homage and epigonisms in their analysis of derivative works.
• The composer's later works fell into epigonisms of his earlier masterpieces.