as in creative
having a role in deciding something's final form
a teacher who was a formative influence on generations of students
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of formative
Tech's rightward lurch toward anything-goes rules for the online world comes at a formative moment for AI.
—
Scott Rosenberg, Axios, 8 Jan. 2025
His love for music was formative from a young age, beginning with his upbringing around gospel songs in church.
—Allison Hussey, Pitchfork, 29 Dec. 2024
Set during a time of war and in a location loosely inspired by Pakistan, the story follows both characters through their formative years as opposition to the romance from their fathers, and the growing threat of war, affects their relationship.
—Sunil Sadarangani, Deadline, 8 Jan. 2025
Despite having played basketball most of his formative years, not to mention his 6-foot-6 frame, Burgomaster had a different plan in South Florida: to earn a finance degree and follow in his father’s accounting footsteps.
—Brendan Marks, The Athletic, 7 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for formative 
Scott Rosenberg, Axios, 8 Jan. 2025
His love for music was formative from a young age, beginning with his upbringing around gospel songs in church.
—Allison Hussey, Pitchfork, 29 Dec. 2024
Set during a time of war and in a location loosely inspired by Pakistan, the story follows both characters through their formative years as opposition to the romance from their fathers, and the growing threat of war, affects their relationship.
—Sunil Sadarangani, Deadline, 8 Jan. 2025
Despite having played basketball most of his formative years, not to mention his 6-foot-6 frame, Burgomaster had a different plan in South Florida: to earn a finance degree and follow in his father’s accounting footsteps.
—Brendan Marks, The Athletic, 7 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for formative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for formative
Adjective
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Junk journaling is a creative outlet for Perkins — a way to decompress and channel her energy into making something pleasing.—
Harmeet Kaur,
CNN,
25 Jan. 2025
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But until then, communities will need creative solutions for how to properly care for those that fall into government hands.—
Natalie Wallington,
Kansas City Star,
25 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Charania said that the Heat has had some productive conversations on a potential trade this week.—
Kristen Waggoner,
Newsweek,
22 Jan. 2025
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Identify at least one productive coping mechanism for your stress.—
Korin Miller,
SELF,
21 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Real news can be honest, hopeful, credible, constructive.—
Wafaa Shurafa,
The Christian Science Monitor,
26 Jan. 2025
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Feedback: Providing constructive, actionable insights to improve performance and outcomes.—
Tony Gambill,
Forbes,
24 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near formative
Cite this Entry
“Formative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/formative. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
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