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
As the name suggests, Corbett’s store specializes in dealing and selling antiques from the Federalist Era, a formative period of American history that ran from the late 1700s to the early 19th century.
—
Claire Murphy,
Chicago Tribune,
27 June 2026
Yet Charles—who was born there, but did not spend his formative years in the palace—and Camilla declined to move in when their reign began.
—
Erin Vanderhoof,
Vanity Fair,
26 June 2026
Raimondo, the former Democratic governor of Rhode Island who played a formative role in setting AI policy as the Biden administration’s commerce secretary, will be the nonprofit’s CEO.
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ABC News,
25 June 2026
The Obama Foundation told USA TODAY it is meant to bring visitors back in time to his and Michelle Obama's formative years, the 1960s to the late 1980s.
—
Kinsey Crowley,
USA Today,
24 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for formative
Claire Murphy,
Chicago Tribune,
27 June 2026
Yet Charles—who was born there, but did not spend his formative years in the palace—and Camilla declined to move in when their reign began.
—
Erin Vanderhoof,
Vanity Fair,
26 June 2026
Raimondo, the former Democratic governor of Rhode Island who played a formative role in setting AI policy as the Biden administration’s commerce secretary, will be the nonprofit’s CEO.
—
ABC News,
25 June 2026
The Obama Foundation told USA TODAY it is meant to bring visitors back in time to his and Michelle Obama's formative years, the 1960s to the late 1980s.
—
Kinsey Crowley,
USA Today,
24 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for formative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for formative
Adjective
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In her new memoir Famesick, Dunham wrote a message to Swift, saying much of the book's creative process was soundtracked by her music.
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Their wedding ceremony looks were created by Christian Dior Haute Couture, designed by creative director Jonathan Anderson.
Adjective
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Trying to rototill around the shrub to loosen the soil is seldom productive and can damage both your rototiller and surrounding plants.
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These behaviors make having a productive discussion or peaceable relationship untenable.
Adjective
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Love is the capacity to hold difference without fragmentation, to bring parts into relationship without erasing their uniqueness and to align intelligence with constructive becoming.
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Trade timing & outlook EBAY has been building a constructive base above the $105 support level after a sharp move higher earlier this year.
Cite this Entry
“Formative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/formative. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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