as in creative
having a role in deciding something's final form
a teacher who was a formative influence on generations of students
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Recent Examples of formative
On Brett Goldstein’s Films to Be Buried With podcast on June 10, recorded before the release of his and Lopez’s movie Office Romance, the two actors discussed their favorite and most formative movies.
—
Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 12 June 2026
Years spent designing hospitality spaces—including Soho Farmhouse, the cult-favorite Oxfordshire retreat that served as a formative project early in her career—taught Gibbon how to shape an experience through interior design.
—Kristen Flanagan, Architectural Digest, 12 June 2026
Could Earth’s formative years have been similar?
—Quanta Magazine, 12 June 2026
That was incredibly formative for me.
—Max Berlinger, Vogue, 11 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for formative
Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 12 June 2026
Years spent designing hospitality spaces—including Soho Farmhouse, the cult-favorite Oxfordshire retreat that served as a formative project early in her career—taught Gibbon how to shape an experience through interior design.
—Kristen Flanagan, Architectural Digest, 12 June 2026
Could Earth’s formative years have been similar?
—Quanta Magazine, 12 June 2026
That was incredibly formative for me.
—Max Berlinger, Vogue, 11 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for formative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for formative
Adjective
-
With several injuries, the Sparks took a creative approach to acquire healthy players.—
Marisa Ingemi,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2026
-
While obviously, the lyrical sentiment contains romantic implications, the veritable love affair is really between McCartney and Lennon, their friendship and creative partnership an enviable match.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
18 June 2026
Adjective
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The partnership aims to narrow the gap between human and robotic dexterity, enabling more adaptable, productive and safer automation systems for industrial environments.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
16 June 2026
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Fortunately, there is a way to direct our imagination toward more productive pursuits through performance-enhancing visualization.—
Dr. Deepika Chopra,
Flow Space,
16 June 2026
Adjective
-
Bazaldua and Blackmon asked Judge Eric Moye to require Tolbert and Johnson to appear and show cause why they shouldn't be held in constructive contempt of his court order.—
Jack Fink,
CBS News,
16 June 2026
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Sensual Venus in your 8th House of Intimacy trines nebulous Neptune in your 4th House of Home, helping tender conversations feel safer and more constructive.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
16 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Formative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/formative. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
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