1
as in crystallizing
to take on a definite form
my ideas on the subject are just starting to form
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in comprising
to be all the substance of
this one sentence really forms the basis of your argument
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in producing
to bring into being by combining, shaping, or transforming materials
formed the pot out of the clay
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in starting
to come into existence
the new company formed from two smaller ones
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in developing
to come to have gradually
I don't want you beginning skiers to form any bad habits
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 forming
There are new industries forming around end-of-life vehicles as well as new technologies to be deployed to replace certain materials.
—
James Morris,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2026
This makes room for growths now forming new plants.
—
Tom MacCubbin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
27 June 2026
Although made for a range of sports instead of boating, the Champion launched as Keds’ first shoe in 1916, and the layman would have a hard time telling it apart from the Authentic with nearly identical stitching forming its upper.
—
Ian Servantes,
Footwear News,
26 June 2026
For the second straight year, the City Section is allowing a pilot program of high schools forming a boys’ flag football league as its popularity grows.
—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
26 June 2026
After remaining inactive for decades, the concept was revived by the Army for the Advanced Hypersonic Weapon demonstration in 2011, eventually forming the basis of today’s operational hypersonic programs, reports Aviation Week.
—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
26 June 2026
That, in turn, restricted how far nodes could be from one another — thereby limiting their chances of forming a monochromatic clique.
—
Leila Sloman,
Quanta Magazine,
26 June 2026
On June 28, Mars in Taurus will meet with Jupiter in Cancer, forming a supportive sextile and momentous synergy that rewards our patience and commitment.
—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
26 June 2026
In forming our union, the founders fell terribly short of the declaration's promise, leaving slavery intact, allowing states to restrict the franchise to white men who own property.
—
Dana Taylor,
USA Today,
19 June 2026
James Morris,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2026
This makes room for growths now forming new plants.
—
Tom MacCubbin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
27 June 2026
Although made for a range of sports instead of boating, the Champion launched as Keds’ first shoe in 1916, and the layman would have a hard time telling it apart from the Authentic with nearly identical stitching forming its upper.
—
Ian Servantes,
Footwear News,
26 June 2026
For the second straight year, the City Section is allowing a pilot program of high schools forming a boys’ flag football league as its popularity grows.
—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
26 June 2026
After remaining inactive for decades, the concept was revived by the Army for the Advanced Hypersonic Weapon demonstration in 2011, eventually forming the basis of today’s operational hypersonic programs, reports Aviation Week.
—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
26 June 2026
That, in turn, restricted how far nodes could be from one another — thereby limiting their chances of forming a monochromatic clique.
—
Leila Sloman,
Quanta Magazine,
26 June 2026
On June 28, Mars in Taurus will meet with Jupiter in Cancer, forming a supportive sextile and momentous synergy that rewards our patience and commitment.
—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
26 June 2026
In forming our union, the founders fell terribly short of the declaration's promise, leaving slavery intact, allowing states to restrict the franchise to white men who own property.
—
Dana Taylor,
USA Today,
19 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forming
Verb
-
The lyrics describe a crystallizing moment in which the narrator realizes that her relationship is the thing that’s not working in her life, despite the best hopes and intentions.
-
Khosla himself has endorsed the idea of a national wealth fund, and the symmetry between his individual advocacy and OpenAI’s institutional proposal suggests that a policy framework is crystallizing within the AI industry’s upper echelons.
Verb
-
The boat was designed around 54 guest cabins, comprising 48 suites and six penthouse apartments.
-
Day and Night will be a double album clocking in at 24 tracks, with each LP comprising 12 songs.
Verb
-
Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Campbell, California, Orbital Composites develops robotic additive manufacturing systems for producing advanced composite and high-temperature components for defense, aerospace, and energy applications.
-
Longer gaps between disclosures could allow larger pools of uncertainty to accumulate beneath the surface, producing fewer but more severe repricing events when conditions finally become visible to markets.
Verb
-
Now, Democrat Xavier Becerra and Republican Steve Hilton present a stark choice to voters in the race to be the next governor at a moment when public support for the state’s generous safety net is starting to fray.
-
In the last 20 minutes before kick, droves of fans have made their way into the stadium and the energy is starting to pick up.
Verb
-
Municipal workers are developing a new low-level drinking water connection to supply the city's approximately 7,300 residents, hotels, businesses and the golf course as the lake level falls, Geller added.
-
While a male fetus is developing in the womb, testicles originate in the abdomen near the kidneys.
Verb
-
For that reason, executive travel remains essential for driving high-stakes deals forward, securing major partnerships, connecting with suppliers, and building trust through face-to-face interactions.
-
By connecting the mid-June high with the action from early June, a clear potential cup-and-handle pattern begins to emerge.
Verb
-
Additionally, last year’s Oscar winner for Best Original Score, Ludwig Göransson, will be composing The Odyssey.
-
In a nod to the maestro for which the dish is named, Bottura says that pairing with Sauternes is like composing music.
Verb
-
The Cubs will try to rebound Saturday with left-hander David Peterson, acquired this week in a trade with the Mets, making his first start with his new team.
-
If a demanding day drains you, take a short break before making a purchase.
Cite this Entry
“Forming.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forming. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
