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
Once a mainstay on the NASCAR Cup schedule, Bowman Gray hosted races in the league’s formative years, from 1958 to 1971.
—
Jordan Bianchi, New York Times, 9 July 2025
In those formative years spent as a youngster in Hawaii, surfing had become a big part of his life and moving to Texas was admittedly a bit of a letdown.
—Karen Billing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 July 2025
From its rhythmic sounds — dancehall, kizomba, Afrobeats and reggae — to its Dutch colonial architecture and stunning ocean views, the island serves as a constant reminder of his formative years and the cultural influences that continue to inspire his music.
—Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 7 July 2025
Should private corporations have free access to the most formative years of human development?
—Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes.com, 4 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for formative
Jordan Bianchi, New York Times, 9 July 2025
In those formative years spent as a youngster in Hawaii, surfing had become a big part of his life and moving to Texas was admittedly a bit of a letdown.
—Karen Billing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 July 2025
From its rhythmic sounds — dancehall, kizomba, Afrobeats and reggae — to its Dutch colonial architecture and stunning ocean views, the island serves as a constant reminder of his formative years and the cultural influences that continue to inspire his music.
—Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 7 July 2025
Should private corporations have free access to the most formative years of human development?
—Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes.com, 4 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for formative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for formative
Adjective
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Our dining and nightlife correspondent Ana Gutierrez rounded up the creative tequila and mezcal cocktails Austin bars have on tap to mark the occasion.—
Deborah Sengupta Stith,
Austin American Statesman,
25 July 2025
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Honey Gochujang Corn Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches were created by crew members at a store in Houston, Texas, and this surprising and creative dessert took first place in the national contest.—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
24 July 2025
Adjective
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His obsession is with the innumerable recordings that have been issued in the past seventy-five years or so—a glorious panoply of changing musical taste that reflects the interplay of art and commerce in the most productive and wasteful culture the world has ever known.—
David Denby,
New Yorker,
20 July 2025
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The really good, productive players have always been that way.—
Elliott Teaford,
Oc Register,
18 July 2025
Adjective
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Bank of America recently attended an investor day and came away feeling even more constructive on the stock.—
Michael Bloom,
CNBC,
26 July 2025
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Most experts who testified this week attributed that to a series of factors that included more constructive surroundings than jail.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
23 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Formative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/formative. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
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