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
Some of her most formative childhood experiences took place at iconic locations around the city, such as The Black Archives and The American Jazz Museum, which sparked her passion for culture and community.
—
J.m. Banks, Kansas City Star, 10 June 2025
This formative experience became the driving force behind his decision to start his own firm, Fuicelli & Lee, in 2008; an intentional move toward advocacy rooted in personal conviction.
—Jon Stojan, USA Today, 15 June 2025
Willie’s formative experiences came in the forties and earlier.
—Jelani Cobb, New Yorker, 14 June 2025
And, says Donahue, Gen Z also spent formative years during the pandemic, removed from in-person interactions and relying on smartphones and social media for connectivity, so AI therapy would seem like a natural progression.
—Fiorella Valdesolo, Vogue, 10 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for formative
J.m. Banks, Kansas City Star, 10 June 2025
This formative experience became the driving force behind his decision to start his own firm, Fuicelli & Lee, in 2008; an intentional move toward advocacy rooted in personal conviction.
—Jon Stojan, USA Today, 15 June 2025
Willie’s formative experiences came in the forties and earlier.
—Jelani Cobb, New Yorker, 14 June 2025
And, says Donahue, Gen Z also spent formative years during the pandemic, removed from in-person interactions and relying on smartphones and social media for connectivity, so AI therapy would seem like a natural progression.
—Fiorella Valdesolo, Vogue, 10 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for formative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for formative
Adjective
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Sharing the screen with Nicole Kidman in the second season of Hulu’s Nine Perfect Strangers proved to be a career highlight, Straus says, and one that helped renew her creative passion.—
Stephen Daw,
Billboard,
30 June 2025
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Apple Music has unveiled a new studio near its Culver City headquarters, an expansive 15,000-square-foot space the streaming service hopes will serve as an all-in-one creative hub where musicians can come for radio interviews, write and record new music, conduct photo shoots and film video content.—
Ethan Millman,
HollywoodReporter,
30 June 2025
Adjective
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And the pace is intense— though not always productive or efficient.—
Vibhas Ratanjee,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2025
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Simply put, Queen has been wildly productive at every stage of his career.—
Sam Vecenie,
New York Times,
26 June 2025
Adjective
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With 73 countries now involved, the platform offers a new model of constructive multilateralism, grounded in country ownership and solutions that match the moment. 3.—
Michael Sheldrick,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
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The next president should enter office with a clear and constructive vision for the future of American foreign policy and move to realize it with the same alacrity the Trump administration has displayed in its first 100 days.—
REBECCA LISSNER,
Foreign Affairs,
24 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Formative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/formative. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.
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