FORMATIVE Synonyms: 9 Similar and Opposite Words

formative

adjective

ˈfȯr-mə-tiv

Definition of formative

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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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 formative As the name suggests, Corbett’s store specializes in dealing and selling antiques from the Federalist Era, a formative period of American history that ran from the late 1700s to the early 19th century. — Claire Murphy, Chicago Tribune, 27 June 2026 Yet Charles—who was born there, but did not spend his formative years in the palace—and Camilla declined to move in when their reign began. — Erin Vanderhoof, Vanity Fair, 26 June 2026 Raimondo, the former Democratic governor of Rhode Island who played a formative role in setting AI policy as the Biden administration’s commerce secretary, will be the nonprofit’s CEO. — ABC News, 25 June 2026 The Obama Foundation told USA TODAY it is meant to bring visitors back in time to his and Michelle Obama's formative years, the 1960s to the late 1980s. — Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 24 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for formative

Recent Examples of Synonyms for formative

Adjective

Their full-backs will look to get forward, while Sander Berge will anchor the midfield alongside the adventurous Patrick Berg and the creative presence of Odegaard.

— Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 11 July 2026
Welcome any chance to make art or explore your creative talents.

— Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 10 July 2026

Definition of creative

Adjective

Outcomes would be partial victories to as many different groups as possible, converting today’s chaotic, often gridlocked, status quo into something more productive.

— Taylor Dotson, Scientific American, 10 July 2026
Hiring is one of the easiest decisions to feel productive about while doing the wrong thing.

— Erhan Kaya, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026

Definition of productive

Adjective

Zhao and Dunn’s positive emotion strategy fits best into self-management, which is your ability to regulate your emotions and act on them in a way that will lead to constructive outcomes.

— Kevin Kruse, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026
REITs have also stabilized, and electric utilities are showing a constructive technical setup.

— Katie Stockton, CNBC, 6 July 2026

Definition of constructive

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formations

formative

formats

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“Formative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/formative. Accessed 13 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of formative

adjective

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