formula

noun

Definition of formulanext
as in recipe
a set or series of actions or components that lead to a particular result The formula for the area of a rectangle is simple: multiply the width by the height. Hard work and dedication is a surefire formula for success.

Related Words

Relevance

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 formula The formula is designed to do more than fuel workouts it’s positioned as a broader wellness product. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson july 10, Sacbee.com, 10 July 2026 The peptide- and vitamin-infused formula, leaves skin looking brighter, firmer, and more refreshed. — Grace Scollo, InStyle, 10 July 2026 Under the spotlight, here is a basic formula taught in quantum physics known as Fermi’s Golden Rule. — Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 10 July 2026 The gentle formula was inspired by her garden and uses ingredients like aloe vera juice, ginger root extract, and bisabolol (a plant extract) to hydrate, soothe redness, and protect skin from environmental stressors. — Rylee Johnston, PEOPLE, 9 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for formula
Recent Examples of Synonyms for formula
  1. recipe
  2. strategy
  3. procedure
  4. plan
  5. method
  6. approach
  7. scheme
Noun
  • From garlic cheddar butter biscuits and classic tomato pie to chicken scallop and nostalgic banana pudding, these recipes are perfect for your next family meal.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 9 July 2026
  • The recipe for making Roman concrete was believed to have been lost in ancient history.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 July 2026
Definition of recipe
Noun
  • Their sustained success isn't just a golden generation, but the culmination of a two-decade-long federation strategy.
    — Chris Evans, Forbes.com, 9 July 2026
  • While the early successes in the group stage had casual fans buzzing about a trip to the July 19 final—which, come on already—the sales teams at Fox and Telemundo weren’t gaming out long-range strategies for either the USMNT or Mexico.
    — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 8 July 2026
Definition of strategy
Noun
  • The 18-year-old underwent an internal brace procedure – a step below Tommy John surgery – in the same left elbow in May 2025.
    — Greg Dudek, Boston Herald, 7 July 2026
  • The medical consultant reviews policies and procedures for the California Medical Assistance Program.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 7 July 2026
Definition of procedure
Noun
  • Corlys, one of few characters on the show who has survived long enough to ask for a favor in return for his service, shares his plan with Rhaenyra, asking her earnestly for public support from the crown.
    — Zoe Papelis, Vulture, 6 July 2026
  • The government claimed the feature could increase cybercrime incidents and has directed the platform to pause its plans.
    — Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 6 July 2026
Definition of plan
Noun
  • Airflow heats the barrel, and dries the hair while curling it in a process that uses 40 percent less energy than hair-dryer and brush methods.
    — Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 9 July 2026
  • The platform uses advanced grid modelling to track unused transmission capacity that has remained inaccessible with traditional planning methods.
    — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 9 July 2026
Definition of method
Noun
  • While some states allow residents to package sharps in secure containers and throw them away in household trash, Massachusetts takes a different approach.
    — Irina Butler, Boston Herald, 10 July 2026
  • The back-and-forth was a continuation of the approach Rutte, a seasoned diplomat known as a consensus builder during his nearly 14 years as Dutch prime minister, has taken since becoming NATO chief in late 2024.
    — Sam Meredith, CNBC, 9 July 2026
Definition of approach
Noun
  • The couple are accused of operating a scheme that targeted fellow Vietnamese immigrants.
    — Matthew Ormseth, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
  • The two were using different error correction schemes (a surface code and a color code).
    — John Timmer, ArsTechnica, 10 July 2026
Definition of scheme

Browse Nearby Words

forms
formula
formulaic
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Formula.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/formula. Accessed 14 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on formula

Nglish: Translation of formula for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about formula

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of yaw

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 10
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
banana-mirrored
Contradictory Words Quiz Pick out which word means one thing…and the opp...
See All