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
In hindsight, this was one of the most fulfilling and formative experiences of my adult life.
—
Fidel Martinez, Los Angeles Times, 23 May 2025
The aim of the new museum, according to its organizers, is to further the understanding of Kahlo’s early evolution as artist, with an emphasis on the relationships that were formative for her.
—Chloe Schama, Vogue, 22 May 2025
Just 13 when his father Robert, a heating and air-conditioning mogul, acquired the then-Baltimore Colts, the younger Irsay spent his formative years working his way through the league ranks.
—Jacob Robinson, New York Times, 22 May 2025
These are Chris’ formative years, and although they’re played for laughs, there’s also poignancy to them.
—Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for formative
Fidel Martinez, Los Angeles Times, 23 May 2025
The aim of the new museum, according to its organizers, is to further the understanding of Kahlo’s early evolution as artist, with an emphasis on the relationships that were formative for her.
—Chloe Schama, Vogue, 22 May 2025
Just 13 when his father Robert, a heating and air-conditioning mogul, acquired the then-Baltimore Colts, the younger Irsay spent his formative years working his way through the league ranks.
—Jacob Robinson, New York Times, 22 May 2025
These are Chris’ formative years, and although they’re played for laughs, there’s also poignancy to them.
—Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for formative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for formative
Adjective
-
The result was a team that successfully blocked the hosts almost all of the match but also failed to be creative and aggressive in offense, a flaw also under Ancelotti’s predecessors.—
Mauricio Savarese,
Baltimore Sun,
6 June 2025
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Sanlorenzo Arts–a creative hub dedicated to the artistic and cultural initiatives of luxury yacht pioneers Sanlorenzo–has been unveiled in Venice during the inaugural Venice Climate Week (3-8 June, 2025), as the lagoon city presents la Biennale di Architettura.—
Lee Sharrock,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2025
Adjective
-
This is exactly the productive, surly, still-in-his-prime player this team needs down the middle.—
Scott Powers,
New York Times,
14 June 2025
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Since the start of June, the Padres offense has been one of baseball’s least productive units.—
Jeff Sanders,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 June 2025
Adjective
-
Perhaps there was a constructive thought behind the conscious decision to mute clubhouse reminders of that decade-old dynastic run.—
Andrew Baggarly,
New York Times,
8 June 2025
-
He was fired from the Fayetteville job after less than a year because of subpar performance and failure to accept constructive criticism, according to KHBS/KHOG.—
Jorge L. Ortiz,
USA Today,
7 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Formative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/formative. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.
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