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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of formative
The journey to Las Vegas is a homecoming for Felice, who spent his formative years in Sin City honing his craft.
—
Amber Love Bond, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
Knack garnered respect a year ago as the Dodgers’ most consistent spot starting option, logging World Series innings as part of a formative rookie campaign.
—Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2025
Keys and Stephens, both French Open finalists, spent their formative years at the Evert Academy in Florida.
—Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025
For many, the earliest experiences of attraction are formative.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for formative
Amber Love Bond, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
Knack garnered respect a year ago as the Dodgers’ most consistent spot starting option, logging World Series innings as part of a formative rookie campaign.
—Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2025
Keys and Stephens, both French Open finalists, spent their formative years at the Evert Academy in Florida.
—Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025
For many, the earliest experiences of attraction are formative.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for formative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for formative
Adjective
-
Scream 7 then underwent a massive creative overhaul, resulting in the version now set for a 2026 release, which sees the return of franchise mainstays Neve Campbell (Sidney Prescott), Courteney Cox (Gale Weathers), and David Arquette (Deputy Dewey Riley).—
EW.com,
EW.com,
7 Apr. 2025
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Like the stylist who cuts your hair or the technician who paints your nails, plastic surgeons are artists of sorts who have differing creative vibes.—
Nicola Dall'Asen,
Allure,
7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Now Washington’s franchise player, Daniels had one of the most poised and productive rookie seasons in NFL history.—
Nick Baumgardner,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
-
Ishiba should remind Trump that while the U.S. built an innovative and productive economy, Asia holds the deed.—
William Pesek,
Forbes.com,
14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The opportunity and the need for Democrats is to answer with a constructive populism, a patriotic populism.—
Charlotte Alter,
Time,
28 Mar. 2025
-
In reality, balancing recognition with constructive feedback enhances performance.—
Kunio Hara,
Forbes.com,
28 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Formative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/formative. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
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