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
This is the formative years of Billy and his relationship with Irwin Mazur, the man who recognized Billy’s amazing talent even before Billy did himself.
—
Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 19 May 2026
Most of us can identify with the universal recipe for success that was preached to us during our formative years.
—Rodney C. Adkins, Forbes.com, 19 May 2026
In industries facing volatile hiring markets or shifting customer expectations, leaders may come to realize that the most formative chapters of their careers are built in instability.
—Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 18 May 2026
Born in Germany during the war, Schlöndorff spent his formative years in France, attending school there and beginning his cinema apprenticeship under such directors as Louis Malle and Jean-Pierre Melville.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 16 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for formative
Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 19 May 2026
Most of us can identify with the universal recipe for success that was preached to us during our formative years.
—Rodney C. Adkins, Forbes.com, 19 May 2026
In industries facing volatile hiring markets or shifting customer expectations, leaders may come to realize that the most formative chapters of their careers are built in instability.
—Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 18 May 2026
Born in Germany during the war, Schlöndorff spent his formative years in France, attending school there and beginning his cinema apprenticeship under such directors as Louis Malle and Jean-Pierre Melville.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 16 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for formative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for formative
Adjective
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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
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Lugging one of the least productive offenses in the American League, no doubt the Royals would like to get to that same place about Caglianone — who after a puzzling day off Sunday had two doubles in KC’s 3-1 loss to Boston on Monday at Kauffman Stadium.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
19 May 2026
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The study also concluded that limiting the frequency of large meals was a more productive weight loss strategy than time-restricted eating (like intermittent fasting).—
Caitlin Beale,
Health,
19 May 2026
Adjective
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Find that ‘challenge network,’ who won’t just be the echo chamber, but will be those that question you in a constructive way.—
Megan Poinski,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
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Cutler also underlined the potential value of the world's two largest economies holding constructive talks.—
Megan Cerullo,
CBS News,
15 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Formative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/formative. Accessed 25 May. 2026.
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