1
as in saying
to convey in appropriate or telling terms
the doctor was trying to formulate a good way to tell her that she would need surgery
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in preparing
to put (something) into proper and usually carefully worked out written form
a writer planning to formulate a response to what he considered a very unfair review of his work
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 formulating
The school began formulating its response to the crisis in December.
—
Emily Witt, New Yorker, 30 Jan. 2026
One the keys to enhancing the user content search experience is moving a consumer’s actual intent to a more significant role in formulating content recommendations.
—Howard Homonoff, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Often, policymakers struggle to know where to begin in formulating policies.
—Janice Mak, The Conversation, 22 Jan. 2026
By Wednesday, Ravens officials were already formulating plans to line up interviews for Harbaugh’s replacement, who will be just the fourth head coach in the organization’s history.
—Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2026
This includes formulating a plan for Ilya to leave Boston and play for Ottawa, putting him closer geographically to Shane and giving them cover to start a charity together as a way to ease the public into viewing them as more than just bitter rivals on the ice.
—Jessica Derschowitz, Time, 9 Jan. 2026
The hat was supposed to disguise him from the masses who were hearing the missing woman's story and formulating an opinion.
—Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 6 Jan. 2026
Rodriguez closed the day care and went on to work for the local school district, earning a degree in psychology while working in special education and then at the district’s child-development center, formulating strategies for kids who struggled with discipline or classwork.
—Lauren Hilgers, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
But thinking within the SMART framework first is a great way to get started formulating your goals.
—Kelly Mickle, SELF, 29 Dec. 2025
Emily Witt, New Yorker, 30 Jan. 2026
One the keys to enhancing the user content search experience is moving a consumer’s actual intent to a more significant role in formulating content recommendations.
—Howard Homonoff, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Often, policymakers struggle to know where to begin in formulating policies.
—Janice Mak, The Conversation, 22 Jan. 2026
By Wednesday, Ravens officials were already formulating plans to line up interviews for Harbaugh’s replacement, who will be just the fourth head coach in the organization’s history.
—Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2026
This includes formulating a plan for Ilya to leave Boston and play for Ottawa, putting him closer geographically to Shane and giving them cover to start a charity together as a way to ease the public into viewing them as more than just bitter rivals on the ice.
—Jessica Derschowitz, Time, 9 Jan. 2026
The hat was supposed to disguise him from the masses who were hearing the missing woman's story and formulating an opinion.
—Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 6 Jan. 2026
Rodriguez closed the day care and went on to work for the local school district, earning a degree in psychology while working in special education and then at the district’s child-development center, formulating strategies for kids who struggled with discipline or classwork.
—Lauren Hilgers, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
But thinking within the SMART framework first is a great way to get started formulating your goals.
—Kelly Mickle, SELF, 29 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for formulating
Verb
-
In an appearance on Fox News, the Trump-supporting singer bashed the choice of Bunny, saying the performance was an insult to the MAGA movement.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Piagentini dismissed those factors as beside the point, saying judges should trust juries’ sentencing decisions and that Davis’ ruling disrespected the jury process.—
Monroe Trombly,
Louisville Courier Journal,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Levy Restaurants was reportedly only preparing 200 for Sunday’s game day.—
Jayna Bardahl,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
-
The agency is preparing to send four astronauts back to the Moon this March on a high-stakes, ten-day mission to the far side.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Emma Basch, PsyD, a clinical psychologist, agrees, expressing concern that tying self-care to allowance dilutes the concept and does not help kids internalize that caring for themselves is not a job they will ever be paid for, but a way of showing themselves respect and care.—
Hannah Nwoko,
Parents,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Three members of the State Board of Education are expressing their concerns about recent student ICE walkouts and suggesting that school funding be tied to compliance with safety and security protocols.—
Giles Hudson,
CBS News,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Despite the show being about London’s high society, the production team used the row of terrace houses composing the famed Royal Crescent to depict the exterior of the Featherington household.—
Kayla Keegan,
PEOPLE,
1 Feb. 2026
-
Due to the Los Angeles wildfires, he was trapped in Montana for a week without plans and started composing before the film had even officially secured a financing deal.—
Matthew Huff,
Vanity Fair,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
At Davos, Dimon addressed geopolitical risk and America’s role in the world without attacking individuals, while still articulating a worldview grounded in alliances, stability, and democratic resilience.—
Robert Daugherty,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
-
One of Zelnick’s biggest takeaways after coaching thousands of professionals over four decades is that people are often afraid of articulating their goals.—
Susan Caminiti,
CNBC,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Wolf and Schneider will likely always believe in drafting and developing.—
Doug Kyed,
Boston Herald,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Paramount is drafting some new release dates for a number of its films.—
Aaron Couch,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
While putting a chair in a parking spot may seem like a simple gesture, saving spaces has created friction among residents.—
Jessica Mekles,
FOXNews.com,
5 Feb. 2026
-
This earnings season, investors are starting to show signs of apprehension about AI’s investment thesis, putting pressure on some of the largest tech companies that have spent big to win the AI war.—
John Kell,
Fortune,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Healey avoided answering the question, instead stating that Massachusetts officials tipped off the feds to the $7 million SNAP fraud scheme uncovered by Foley’s office in December.—
Tim Dunn,
Boston Herald,
7 Feb. 2026
-
The reports involved an unknown individual calling several people purporting to be a law enforcement officer, falsely stating that the victims had outstanding warrants, had failed to appear for jury duty or missed a court appearance.—
Paula Wethington,
CBS News,
7 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Formulating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/formulating. Accessed 11 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
