transformative

adjective

trans·​for·​ma·​tive tran(t)s-ˈfȯr-mə-tiv 

: causing or able to cause an important and lasting change in someone or something

a transformative experience

And she'll tell anyone who asks about her transformative weeks working for UNICEF in Congo and Cambodia.

—S. L. Price

It is increasingly hard to escape the conclusion that American politics has entered one of those rare transformative moments that shape the content of our public discourse and the direction of our governance for generations.

—Doug Ireland

Examples of transformative in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The power of personal storytelling Peters of Fashion Minority Report believes in the transformative power of AI in leveling the playing field for underserved or neurodivergent individuals. — Cami Fateh, Vogue, 22 July 2026

Throughout every chapter, from radio and television to streaming, digital media and the music business, the constant has been the transformative power of music to bring people together. — Chris Willman, Variety, 21 July 2026

For his contributions to reforming education in Ladakh, Wangchuk was awarded the Ramon Magsaysay Award, a prestigious Asia-wide honor presented for selfless and transformative service to society, in 2018. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 21 July 2026

Artificial intelligence may ultimately become one of the most transformative technologies in history. — Gary Drenik, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1668, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for transformative

• germinative
• argive
• forgive
• ogive
• outlive
• relive
• corroborative
• determinative
• give
• sieve
• resistive