constitutive

adjective

ˈkän(t)-stə-ˌtü-tiv How to pronounce constitutive (audio)
Definition of constitutivenext
as in intrinsic
being a part of the innermost nature of a person or thing the proposition that liberty and justice are constitutive elements of an enlightened society

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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 constitutive But the sea also surges through Tennyson’s poetry in a completely different way, although one equally constitutive of his genius. — Kathryn Schulz, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026 What the poem’s constitutive range of modal verbs exemplify is a mode of poetic questioning. — Elaine L. Wang september 11, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2025 Obviously, this dialectic has been constitutive of Gabriel Orozco’s work from the very beginning and determines it to this very day. — Benjamin H. D. Buchloh, Artforum, 1 June 2025 The globalist gaze on the world identified both interconnectedness and diversity as the constitutive elements of the post-war era. — Or Rosenboim, Foreign Affairs, 10 July 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for constitutive
  1. intrinsic
  2. inherent
  3. integral
  4. essential
  5. constitutional
Adjective
  • But that would be hollow without the sense that the characters’ emotions, and therefore our emotions, are real—that the story, though it might have been born from metaphor, has literal, intrinsic meaning.
    — Emily Temple, Literary Hub, 18 Aug. 2026
  • For high performers, the goal is to uncover intrinsic motivation and clear roadblocks, not just praise.
    — Luciana Paulise, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of intrinsic
Adjective
  • Quite often, the old pics are dated in their morals and arrive with inherent themes which are more baggage than their worth for the studio when trying to pull in a pluralistic audience.
    — Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 15 Aug. 2026
  • That experience helped Rhys recognize the inherent volatility of an actor’s career.
    — Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of inherent
Adjective
  • Jack Reacher, protagonist of books by Lee Child and an ongoing Amazon drama, has several characteristics integral to his Jack Reacher-ness.
    — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 14 Aug. 2026
  • The strong winds not only carry the sensation of discomfort, but also serendipitously become an integral character of the film.
    — Matilda Hague, Variety, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of integral
Adjective
  • One of those arrangements just survived Supreme Court review as essential to the integrity of the number.
    — Shivaram Rajgopal, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Rafael Pelli, Pelli’s son and a partner at Pelli Clarke & Partners, told The Art Newspaper that the natural environment surrounding the center was an essential element in its design.
    — News Desk, Artforum, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of essential
Adjective
  • Maybe one on how not to crash out when protesters or witnesses pull out a phone to shoot video, as is their constitutional right?
    — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 15 Aug. 2026
  • The second ventures directly back into the constitutional ground the Supreme Court addressed only weeks ago.
    — Andy J. Semotiuk, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of constitutional

Browse Nearby Words

constitutions
constitutive
constrain
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Cite this Entry

“Constitutive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/constitutive. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

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