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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
  • Cells seem able to conduct this kind of computation very efficiently, creating little energy dissipation and relying, in part, on the intrinsic thermodynamics of intermolecular interactions.
    — Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 15 July 2026
  • According to GuruFocus, Warren Buffett, the legendary investor, estimated the intrinsic value of the Washington Post Company at $400 to $500 million in 1973.
    — Andrew Lack, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
Definition of intrinsic
Adjective
  • If the technology is being handled by humans, is there not an inherent bias?
    — Jasmine Garsd, NPR, 17 July 2026
  • Phillips said to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution at the 2026 ACC Football Kickoff at the Hilton Charlotte Uptown on Wednesday, responding to a question about the league’s inherent financial plight.
    — Mike Griffith, AJC.com, 16 July 2026
Definition of inherent
Adjective
  • Player sales — which are planned for, are made on Newcastle’s terms and, where possible, at the point of maximum value — have become integral.
    — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 18 July 2026
  • Companies like Priority Pass are expanding their offerings to include diverse airport experiences such as dining, retail, and wellness, transforming airports from mere transit points into integral parts of the journey.
    — Jeff Fromm, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
Definition of integral
Adjective
  • One of Ramboll’s innovations is to address reactive power, a component of electricity that does not perform useful work but is essential in maintaining electrical and magnetic fields and controlling voltage levels.
    — Drew Robb, IEEE Spectrum, 16 July 2026
  • Proper watering is essential for healthy rose bushes and ensures vibrant, beautiful blooms in your garden.
    — Samantha Johnson, Martha Stewart, 16 July 2026
Definition of essential
Adjective
  • That means ensuring ballot questions are accurately summarized, comply with applicable legal standards, and satisfy constitutional requirements before they are certified.
    — Robert Cordy, Boston Herald, 19 July 2026
  • Bruce Rogow, a constitutional-law attorney and founding professor of the Nova Southeastern University of Law Center, said looking into someone’s information that is already public record might have been acceptable for FWC to have done.
    — David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 18 July 2026
Definition of constitutional

Browse Nearby Words

constitutions
constitutive
constrain
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of dog days

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

Why do we say 'fly off the handle'?
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
child-detective
Spot the Misspelled Word July 2026 Those little red underlines can't help you now...
See All