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
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Recent Examples of forming
Ellison, the son of Oracle founder Larry Ellison, has been a Hollywood producer for two decades, forming Skydance with his billionaire father in 2006 and financing some major franchises, including Star Trek, Mission Impossible and Top Gun.
—
David Goldman, CNN Money, 27 Feb. 2026
In 1936, nearly two decades before the Civil Rights Movement, Helen Webb Harris, an educator in the Washington, DC, area, invited 12 friends to her home to discuss forming a club.
—Merlisa Lawrence Corbett, USA Today, 27 Feb. 2026
Thousands of commercial vehicles move through these channels daily, forming the backbone of Texas port operations and industrial capability.
—Wyles Daniel, USA TODAY, 27 Feb. 2026
Bulbs begin forming for each type once daylight reaches a certain number of hours daily.
—Barbara Gillette, The Spruce, 27 Feb. 2026
Tenants are forming tenant unions across the country.
—Max Klaver, Miami Herald, 27 Feb. 2026
Disinfecting wipes on hard surfaces can destroy bacteria, fungi, and viruses within 10 minutes and help prevent new bacteria from forming.
—Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 27 Feb. 2026
Using the James Webb Space Telescope and the Atacama Large Millimeter/sub-millimeter Array , astronomers have investigated 70 dusty, star-forming galaxies at the very edge of the universe.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 20 Feb. 2026
Fleischer, a recreational hockey player, likes his ice on a rink and not forming into gargantuan structures that weigh down the facia or gutters.
—Christina Cush, Architectural Digest, 20 Feb. 2026
David Goldman, CNN Money, 27 Feb. 2026
In 1936, nearly two decades before the Civil Rights Movement, Helen Webb Harris, an educator in the Washington, DC, area, invited 12 friends to her home to discuss forming a club.
—Merlisa Lawrence Corbett, USA Today, 27 Feb. 2026
Thousands of commercial vehicles move through these channels daily, forming the backbone of Texas port operations and industrial capability.
—Wyles Daniel, USA TODAY, 27 Feb. 2026
Bulbs begin forming for each type once daylight reaches a certain number of hours daily.
—Barbara Gillette, The Spruce, 27 Feb. 2026
Tenants are forming tenant unions across the country.
—Max Klaver, Miami Herald, 27 Feb. 2026
Disinfecting wipes on hard surfaces can destroy bacteria, fungi, and viruses within 10 minutes and help prevent new bacteria from forming.
—Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 27 Feb. 2026
Using the James Webb Space Telescope and the Atacama Large Millimeter/sub-millimeter Array , astronomers have investigated 70 dusty, star-forming galaxies at the very edge of the universe.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 20 Feb. 2026
Fleischer, a recreational hockey player, likes his ice on a rink and not forming into gargantuan structures that weigh down the facia or gutters.
—Christina Cush, Architectural Digest, 20 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forming
Verb
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The market opportunity is crystallizing faster than anticipated.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Byard, who hopes to be here for the next Bears practice in May but may not be if free agency pulls him in a different direction, also sees a formula crystallizing for a multi-season run of success.—
Dan Wiederer,
New York Times,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
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As a nuclear power, Pakistan commands a sophisticated defense apparatus comprising an army, navy, air force, and marine corps.—
Sophia Saifi,
CNN Money,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Dressed in Swansea’s colours, the 54-year-old took the field ahead of the Championship game against Preston North End through a guard of honour comprising young footballers from Wales, as over 20,000 fans filled the stands.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Carrick ignored it, deciding not to change a formula up front that has ended up producing five wins and a draw from his first six matches back in the dugout.—
Ian Irving,
New York Times,
28 Feb. 2026
-
Even if some kilns had continued producing ceramics, the Yuan Dynasty fell in 1368 and the first Ming emperor banned commercial trade around 1371, so even conservative estimates for dating the shipwreck still fall between the late 1320s and 1371, according to the study.—
Issy Ronald,
CNN Money,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The process would likely take about six months, starting with the inauguration of California’s next governor in early January 2027.—
David Mark,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Feb. 2026
-
On an after-market analyst call, Starz CEO Jeffrey Hirsch announced the company would no longer disclose subscriber numbers starting with its upcoming March 2026 quarter.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Streaming will come together for a keynote roundtable to share their strategies developing compelling campaigns for new films and TV series.—
William Earl,
Variety,
26 Feb. 2026
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Along with the likes of the BBC, Channel 4 and Netflix, the charity has spent the past year developing the principles, which were revealed at an event at Channel 4’s Horseferry Road HQ.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Accessibility Despite the villa’s vertiginous surroundings, the elevators connecting the reception and the main villa ensure wheelchair access to the rooms.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
5 Mar. 2026
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And the manufacturer’s speed limiter had been disabled by cutting the wire and connecting it to a key switch, allowing the rider to push the bike to 60 mph.—
Cierra Morgan
March 4,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Here’s where the tough-on-crime folks will begin composing their angry emails.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Lama provides an artist-friendly approach to composing materials built from layers representing distinct physical phenomena.—
Kimberly Nordyke,
HollywoodReporter,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
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In June, his twin sons transferred to his alma mater from a Detroit prep school with hopes of making their papa proud and lifting the town’s spirit.—
Steve Galluzzo,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Feb. 2026
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But, since staying cozy is key for making it through long travel days, the Trendy Queen 2-piece Matching Lounge Set is an excellent alternative that’s more form-fitting without feeling restrictive.—
Merrell Readman,
Travel + Leisure,
28 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Forming.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forming. Accessed 5 Mar. 2026.
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