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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of formative
About the Charlotte Rail Trail Bridge project When the Blue Line was in its formative phase in the late 2000s, the plan was to create a bridge from Brooklyn Village to East Morehead Street.
—
Desiree Mathurin
april 29, Charlotte Observer, 29 Apr. 2026
Martínez named Crispín after his father, who was, and is, a formative presence for him.
—Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 29 Apr. 2026
Months of close human contact during the most formative window of his development.
—Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 28 Apr. 2026
Despite this, the differences in their younger, formative years uniquely informed each pioneering man's approach to public service.
—CBS News, 25 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for formative
Desiree Mathurin
april 29, Charlotte Observer, 29 Apr. 2026
Martínez named Crispín after his father, who was, and is, a formative presence for him.
—Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 29 Apr. 2026
Months of close human contact during the most formative window of his development.
—Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 28 Apr. 2026
Despite this, the differences in their younger, formative years uniquely informed each pioneering man's approach to public service.
—CBS News, 25 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for formative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for formative
Adjective
-
Leah became chief creative officer of the niche fragrance line Skylar and was on Forbes’s 2026 30 Under 30 list for her social media reach.—
Anna Peele,
Vanity Fair,
14 May 2026
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The creative team is not so much interested in nostalgia but feels there is a timely urgency behind revisiting the model’s life.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
14 May 2026
Adjective
-
Joy has unusually productive momentum now.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
12 May 2026
-
There’s money to be made from a drunken widower, but a productive painter promises wealth on an entirely different scale.—
Ben Croll,
IndieWire,
12 May 2026
Adjective
-
Of the constructive feedback that The Athletic received in asking about Gold, several of our respondents noted that the Bruins’ AHL development track record during Gold’s tenure is lacking.—
Thomas Drance,
New York Times,
12 May 2026
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In today’s world constructive dialogue has become very difficult.—
Elsa Keslassy,
Variety,
12 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Formative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/formative. Accessed 15 May. 2026.
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