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
His show was so formative for many that he was satirized by Eddie Murphy on Saturday Night Live.
—
Makena Gera, People.com, 27 Feb. 2025
All that experience meant living out of suitcases, a formative experience for a child.
—Matt Yan, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2025
Taurasi carried a cool quotient that the WNBA needed in its formative years.
—Sean Gregory, TIME, 25 Feb. 2025
The guitarist, already a deity among Steely Dan and Doobie Brothers fans for formative stints with both bands, considers his life as a studio musician similar to to a craftsman who has the tools to construct whatever is needed.
—Devon Ivie, Vulture, 19 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for formative
Makena Gera, People.com, 27 Feb. 2025
All that experience meant living out of suitcases, a formative experience for a child.
—Matt Yan, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2025
Taurasi carried a cool quotient that the WNBA needed in its formative years.
—Sean Gregory, TIME, 25 Feb. 2025
The guitarist, already a deity among Steely Dan and Doobie Brothers fans for formative stints with both bands, considers his life as a studio musician similar to to a craftsman who has the tools to construct whatever is needed.
—Devon Ivie, Vulture, 19 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for formative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for formative
Adjective
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Newberry said that having a more realistic branch diameter scaling factor may have enabled artists to take more creative risks yet still have the object recognizable as a tree.—
Katie Hunt,
CNN,
14 Mar. 2025
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The 14-track project marks Smith’s first full-length album since 2005’s Lost and Found and features an impressive lineup of collaborators, including longtime creative partner DJ Jazzy Jeff, as well as Teyana Taylor and Jac Ross.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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By embracing a mindset that views conflict as a springboard for innovation and by adopting behaviors that facilitate respectful and productive collaboration, teams can transform potential discord into powerful synergy.—
Anna Barnhill,
Forbes,
10 Mar. 2025
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Challenge the hustle culture mindset and embrace the idea that rest is productive.—
Jasmine Browley,
Essence,
9 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Let a song, book, movie, hobby, or craft transport you away from the fear and hate and to a positive, creative, constructive mindset.—
Chris John Amorosino,
Hartford Courant,
4 Mar. 2025
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If there isn't any, replace the thought with something constructive.—
Dr. Michelle Penelope King,
Forbes,
4 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Formative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/formative. Accessed 17 Mar. 2025.
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