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 journey to Las Vegas is a homecoming for Felice, who spent his formative years in Sin City honing his craft.
—
Amber Love Bond, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
Knack garnered respect a year ago as the Dodgers’ most consistent spot starting option, logging World Series innings as part of a formative rookie campaign.
—Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2025
Keys and Stephens, both French Open finalists, spent their formative years at the Evert Academy in Florida.
—Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025
For many, the earliest experiences of attraction are formative.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for formative
Amber Love Bond, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
Knack garnered respect a year ago as the Dodgers’ most consistent spot starting option, logging World Series innings as part of a formative rookie campaign.
—Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2025
Keys and Stephens, both French Open finalists, spent their formative years at the Evert Academy in Florida.
—Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025
For many, the earliest experiences of attraction are formative.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for formative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for formative
Adjective
-
Then there was the more recent event when McMahon shockingly returned to WWE after retiring, which seemed to have an effect on Triple H's creative plans, and Stephanie McMahon soon left the board.—
Nicholas Creel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 Apr. 2025
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Though these creators share a state in common, their perspectives are vastly different, informed by their international backgrounds, personal history, creative vision and varying media.—
Patrick Connolly,
The Orlando Sentinel,
18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Now Washington’s franchise player, Daniels had one of the most poised and productive rookie seasons in NFL history.—
Nick Baumgardner,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
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Ishiba should remind Trump that while the U.S. built an innovative and productive economy, Asia holds the deed.—
William Pesek,
Forbes.com,
14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The opportunity and the need for Democrats is to answer with a constructive populism, a patriotic populism.—
Charlotte Alter,
Time,
28 Mar. 2025
-
In reality, balancing recognition with constructive feedback enhances performance.—
Kunio Hara,
Forbes.com,
28 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Formative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/formative. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.
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