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
The actress, who spent her formative years as the child star who brought Hermione Granger to the big screen, now marks her 35th birthday on Tuesday, April 15.
—
Benjamin Vanhoose, People.com, 15 Apr. 2025
Our communities were the center of our worlds, until the formative years of our identities were interrupted.
—Cierra Chenier, Essence, 15 Apr. 2025
Later that morning, McConnell drove me around Burlington, pointing out where the members of Phish had lived, practiced, hung out, and gigged during the band’s formative years.
—Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2025
That coincided with Merrill’s formative years, from age nine to 15.
Merrill, who grew up a Red Sox fan, admired Machado and also sort of didn’t like him.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for formative
Benjamin Vanhoose, People.com, 15 Apr. 2025
Our communities were the center of our worlds, until the formative years of our identities were interrupted.
—Cierra Chenier, Essence, 15 Apr. 2025
Later that morning, McConnell drove me around Burlington, pointing out where the members of Phish had lived, practiced, hung out, and gigged during the band’s formative years.
—Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2025
That coincided with Merrill’s formative years, from age nine to 15.
Merrill, who grew up a Red Sox fan, admired Machado and also sort of didn’t like him.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for formative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for formative
Adjective
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Lucinda Hicks has been named CEO of Sister Group, the fast-rising creative giant co-founded by Elizabeth Murdoch and Jane Featherstone.—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
1 May 2025
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One man even stopped to stand with the creative team of the Ravens just to see live television in motion.—
Billie Melissa,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 May 2025
Adjective
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One is this idea of a universal digital assistant that can help you in your everyday life, to be more productive and enrich your life.—
Billy Perrigo,
Time,
27 Apr. 2025
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The White House called Trump and Zelenskyy's Vatican face-to-face very productive.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Log in Real news can be honest, hopeful, credible, constructive.—
Francine Kiefer,
Christian Science Monitor,
2 May 2025
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Often, this anxiety stems from the illusion of absolute control, an unattainable pursuit, rather than a constructive focus on self-improvement, emotional regulation and skill refinement.—
Davide Sartini,
Forbes.com,
1 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Formative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/formative. Accessed 6 May. 2025.
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