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
Academic, business and political leaders in the United States need to start talking publicly and clearly about the enormous value of our foreign student population and the danger of the various actions that are discouraging them from joining us for their educational and formative experiences.
—
John A. Ragosta, Baltimore Sun, 4 May 2025
Usually, when researching the story of a player operating at the elite level, each coach in their formative years can offer a moment that affirmed their belief they were destined for the top.
—Adam Crafton, New York Times, 2 May 2025
What followed were steady performances in Berkeley with foundation-setting shows at 924 Gilman Street, a formative venue for bands including Jawbreaker and Rancid.
—Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 1 May 2025
The formative years and parallel stories of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X, two iconic leaders of the Civil Rights Movement, are compellingly explored in this docudrama series.
—Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for formative
John A. Ragosta, Baltimore Sun, 4 May 2025
Usually, when researching the story of a player operating at the elite level, each coach in their formative years can offer a moment that affirmed their belief they were destined for the top.
—Adam Crafton, New York Times, 2 May 2025
What followed were steady performances in Berkeley with foundation-setting shows at 924 Gilman Street, a formative venue for bands including Jawbreaker and Rancid.
—Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 1 May 2025
The formative years and parallel stories of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X, two iconic leaders of the Civil Rights Movement, are compellingly explored in this docudrama series.
—Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for formative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for formative
Adjective
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Located in the Wedgewood Houston area of Nashville on Martin Street, Capitol Music Group Nashville features 40,000 square feet of office space which includes state-of-the-art recording studios, a live performance space and creative content studios.—
Jem Aswad,
Variety,
13 May 2025
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There’s the need for everyone involved — the creative team involved in the Broadway side — to want to do that.—
Mia Galuppo,
HollywoodReporter,
13 May 2025
Adjective
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The opportunity to make seeds more productive, and crops more nutritious either by improving seeds or doing food fortification by adding some micronutrients in later—that’s super important work.—
Alice Park,
Time,
8 May 2025
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Extending ovarian function could help businesses retain experienced female talent during their most productive years. 2.—
Samantha Walravens,
Forbes.com,
8 May 2025
Adjective
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Log in Real news can be honest, hopeful, credible, constructive.—
Sarah Matusek,
Christian Science Monitor,
13 May 2025
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Tech companies need to do more to make these tools genuinely safe and constructive.—
Diana Spehar,
Forbes.com,
12 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Formative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/formative. Accessed 22 May. 2025.
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