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
At the end of the day, this is a story about inspiration and individual growth, with the landfill exposé simply being the formative experience through which these once-diffident kids were able to bloom.
—
Natalia Winkelman, IndieWire, 31 Jan. 2025
This formative experience could shape their mental health, decision-making and even their collective identity and values for decades to come.
—Yalda T. Uhls, The Conversation, 30 Jan. 2025
Lynch never described himself as having formative experiences in small, curtained rooms, or identified jazz clubs as having great symbolic significance.
—Joshua Rothman, The New Yorker, 25 Jan. 2025
In a similar way, Kool Herc’s breakbeat manipulation provided the scaffolding for MCs and dancers in hip-hop’s formative years.
—Joycelyn Wilson, The Conversation, 30 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for formative 
Natalia Winkelman, IndieWire, 31 Jan. 2025
This formative experience could shape their mental health, decision-making and even their collective identity and values for decades to come.
—Yalda T. Uhls, The Conversation, 30 Jan. 2025
Lynch never described himself as having formative experiences in small, curtained rooms, or identified jazz clubs as having great symbolic significance.
—Joshua Rothman, The New Yorker, 25 Jan. 2025
In a similar way, Kool Herc’s breakbeat manipulation provided the scaffolding for MCs and dancers in hip-hop’s formative years.
—Joycelyn Wilson, The Conversation, 30 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for formative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for formative
Adjective
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But the period comedy, which premieres in competition tonight at the festival, assumes the perspective of Lorenz Hart, the great American lyricist who was one half of Rodgers and Hart before a creative split.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
18 Feb. 2025
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While Diesel has rolled out collaborations with other apparel brands like Timberland and Lee, the partnership with Casetify introduces Diesel creative director Glenn Martens‘ vision to new product categories.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
18 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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For decades in the United States, scientists and government officials have coexisted in a mostly peaceable and productive symbiosis.—
Katherine J. Wu,
The Atlantic,
14 Feb. 2025
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Meaning his last two games combined were less productive than any single one of his previous 23 playoff games.—
Vahe Gregorian,
Kansas City Star,
14 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
If used as a snide kiss-off, this conversation-ender conveys disagreement or dissatisfaction with an outcome or decision without directly addressing it, much less trying to be constructive.—
John Bowe, Contributor,
CNBC,
7 Feb. 2025
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Real news can be honest, hopeful, credible, constructive.—
Henry Gass,
The Christian Science Monitor,
7 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near formative
Cite this Entry
“Formative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/formative. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.
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