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
This process then informs the creation of tasks for formative evaluation, where task analysis can be used to assess and refine the device's usability.
—
Aishwarya Suresh, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025
But his formative experiences weren’t so different from a conservatory student’s.
—Joshua Barone, New York Times, 25 Feb. 2025
Prior to Michele’s appointment to the Italian luxury fashion house, the designer spent his formative years as part of the Gucci fashion house.
—Julia Teti, WWD, 10 Mar. 2025
For all Pat Riley has done in his three decades of franchise stewardship and for all Micky Arison, and now Nick Arison, have done in maintaining the Riley vision, this remains a franchise that largely has cast aside its formative years.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 8 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for formative
Aishwarya Suresh, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025
But his formative experiences weren’t so different from a conservatory student’s.
—Joshua Barone, New York Times, 25 Feb. 2025
Prior to Michele’s appointment to the Italian luxury fashion house, the designer spent his formative years as part of the Gucci fashion house.
—Julia Teti, WWD, 10 Mar. 2025
For all Pat Riley has done in his three decades of franchise stewardship and for all Micky Arison, and now Nick Arison, have done in maintaining the Riley vision, this remains a franchise that largely has cast aside its formative years.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 8 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for formative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for formative
Adjective
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Also, being able to relinquish creative control was life-changing—though after a few months, the itch to perform her own music again seemed to return.—
Liam Hess,
Vogue,
26 Mar. 2025
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In addition to managing the brand’s image, Carolina focuses on communication while Camilla researches materials and creative elements.—
Naomi Rougeau,
Robb Report,
26 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Recent Gallup research reveals that highly engaged teams are 14% more productive than those with low engagement.—
Chris Gallagher,
USA TODAY,
21 Mar. 2025
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The Delaware congresswoman has cautioned moderate Democrats that the tenor and tone of their comments — particularly on questioning trans athletes in sports, which is where most of the debate has focused — might inflame and splinter factions instead of being productive.—
Oriana González,
Them,
21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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In reality, balancing recognition with constructive feedback enhances performance.—
Kunio Hara,
Forbes.com,
28 Mar. 2025
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The opportunity and the need for Democrats is to answer with a constructive populism, a patriotic populism.—
Charlotte Alter,
Time,
28 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Formative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/formative. Accessed 3 Apr. 2025.
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