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
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 formative
An origin story of sorts that shows the formative years of Barack Obama, Barry follows our 44th president as a college student (played by Devon Terrell) in New York trying to find his footing in the big city.
—
Will Leitch, Vulture, 13 Oct. 2024
The vintage Futurama, which the late Beatle favored during his band’s formative days, will go under the gavel at Julien’s Auctions this fall.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 3 Oct. 2024
Criminals And Law Abiding Citizens Use CPN’s Barbara Simcox, an expert in synthetic identity, held fraud investigator stints with Chase, Bank of America, and MBNA during the formative years when the synthetic problem was just emerging in the US.
—Frank McKenna, Forbes, 24 Oct. 2024
For The Times) Harris has described her formative years living in a Berkeley duplex as an ideal place for a child of immigrants and an influential introduction to Black leadership.
—Mackenzie Mays, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for formative 
Will Leitch, Vulture, 13 Oct. 2024
The vintage Futurama, which the late Beatle favored during his band’s formative days, will go under the gavel at Julien’s Auctions this fall.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 3 Oct. 2024
Criminals And Law Abiding Citizens Use CPN’s Barbara Simcox, an expert in synthetic identity, held fraud investigator stints with Chase, Bank of America, and MBNA during the formative years when the synthetic problem was just emerging in the US.
—Frank McKenna, Forbes, 24 Oct. 2024
For The Times) Harris has described her formative years living in a Berkeley duplex as an ideal place for a child of immigrants and an influential introduction to Black leadership.
—Mackenzie Mays, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for formative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for formative
Adjective
-
This makes Godot feel like a free-flowing, creative instrument users share and improve together as a radical hacker collective.PCMAG, PCMAG, 7 Nov. 2024
-
Alan Schoff: Schoff is a freelance creative director, arts advocate and entrepreneur who hosts Sideshow Indy, a pop-up art gallery space that organizes art exhibits and art engagement programs throughout Indianapolis.Caroline Beck, The Indianapolis Star, 6 Nov. 2024
Adjective
-
This is the kind of productive conflict that helps make good relationships work!Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 7 Nov. 2024
-
Flexibility is key to maintaining a positive and productive working relationship, whether that means stepping up with more contributions or pulling back to ensure balance.Benjamin Laker, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
-
Vanguard’s Cunniffe is also constructive on investment-grade bonds and says the expensive valuations are justified given the state of the economy and healthy corporate balance sheets.Michelle Fox, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2024
-
Real news can be honest, hopeful, credible, constructive.Scott Peterson, The Christian Science Monitor, 4 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near formative
Cite this Entry
“Formative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/formative. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share