as in creative
having a role in deciding something's final form
a teacher who was a formative influence on generations of students
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 formative
Indeed, the 13-year-olds who took the national test experienced the pandemic's disruption during formative elementary years of schooling.
—
ABC News, 10 June 2026
The 13-year-olds who took the national test experienced the pandemic’s disruption during formative elementary years of schooling.
—Annie Ma, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2026
Traveling the state and helping people navigate the fear and stigma associated with their diagnoses was a formative experience, Duxler said.
—Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 10 June 2026
But before Shaboozey even became a songwriter himself, the music of Beyoncé was soundtracking his formative years.
—Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 9 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for formative
ABC News, 10 June 2026
The 13-year-olds who took the national test experienced the pandemic’s disruption during formative elementary years of schooling.
—Annie Ma, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2026
Traveling the state and helping people navigate the fear and stigma associated with their diagnoses was a formative experience, Duxler said.
—Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 10 June 2026
But before Shaboozey even became a songwriter himself, the music of Beyoncé was soundtracking his formative years.
—Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 9 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for formative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for formative
Adjective
-
He’s known for his ability for creative playmaking and his willingness to slip into any role when the situation calls for it.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
12 June 2026
-
Your innovative streak loves fresh starts, and simple domestic wins can spark bigger solutions elsewhere without forcing anything, as calm space makes creative thinking easier.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
11 June 2026
Adjective
-
Mentor126 regards this as a useful lens for adaptive learning design, where AI may adjust difficulty, format, content, and pacing to help learners find their ‘flow,’ the productive learning zones during work tasks.—
Wyles Daniel,
USA Today,
9 June 2026
-
Thus far, the ACC has been most productive at putting a green veneer on policies that will only accelerate climate disasters.—
Wyatt Williams,
Harpers Magazine,
9 June 2026
Adjective
-
Xi was quoted in Chinese media as saying his nation would play a constructive role in the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 June 2026
-
The weekly stochastics have flashed an oversold upturn, a constructive development that often coincides with an intermediate-term low.—
Katie Stockton,
CNBC,
8 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Formative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/formative. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
