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
Polis, who was born in Boulder but spent his formative years in San Diego, is a diehard Colorado sports fan.
—
Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 3 Apr. 2026
Yet this overlooks how the politics of addiction actually functioned in the formative decades of the drug war.
—Literary Hub, 1 Apr. 2026
Rocketship’s founder, David Reske, was a California kid who spent many of his formative years in Texas.
—David Glickman, Pitchfork, 27 Mar. 2026
Frazier, who spent his formative years in Philadelphia, ran up museum steps as part of his training, just like the fictional Balboa.
—David K. Li, NBC news, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for formative
Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 3 Apr. 2026
Yet this overlooks how the politics of addiction actually functioned in the formative decades of the drug war.
—Literary Hub, 1 Apr. 2026
Rocketship’s founder, David Reske, was a California kid who spent many of his formative years in Texas.
—David Glickman, Pitchfork, 27 Mar. 2026
Frazier, who spent his formative years in Philadelphia, ran up museum steps as part of his training, just like the fictional Balboa.
—David K. Li, NBC news, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for formative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for formative
Adjective
-
Unique attractions like the Hattiesburg Pocket Museum and the nearby Lucky Rabbit, a massive vintage store known for its creative displays, also attract visitors, Dorsey said.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Rubin assembled a creative team to develop the Candy Hall of Fame, which will open in summer 2027, including designer Janet Planet and Broadway set designer David Korins.—
Brian J. Rogal,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Tracing Steinbeck’s steps in Salinas Salinas sits inland, the undisputed centre of one of the most productive agricultural valleys on earth.—
Alexandra Genova,
TheWeek,
7 Apr. 2026
-
The cards are designed to interrupt the rational mind, and to introduce productive chaos into processes that may feel rigid.—
Jennifer Sodini,
Rolling Stone,
7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Registration on the Principal Register provides nationwide constructive notice, a legal presumption of ownership, and the right to use the ® symbol — tools that matter when knockoffs and unauthorized merchandise inevitably appear.—
PJ Green
April 8,
Kansas City Star,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Treat the relationship like your other work dynamics Just like getting promoted over your friend, or giving your manager some constructive feedback, becoming your boss' boss can be tricky.—
Ashton Jackson,
CNBC,
6 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Formative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/formative. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
