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
Forty-two years later, during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, Steves stumbled upon his diary, rereading passages about his formative trip.
—
Laura Manske, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
Many healthcare professionals spend their formative years training in traditional hospital settings, leaving them unprepared for the unique demands of acute care at home.
—Jiang Li, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
Kilmer spent his formative years in the Chatsworth neighborhood of Los Angeles.
—Time, 3 Apr. 2025
Many healthcare professionals spend their formative years training in traditional hospital settings, leaving them unprepared for the unique demands of acute care at home.
—Jiang Li, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for formative
Laura Manske, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
Many healthcare professionals spend their formative years training in traditional hospital settings, leaving them unprepared for the unique demands of acute care at home.
—Jiang Li, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
Kilmer spent his formative years in the Chatsworth neighborhood of Los Angeles.
—Time, 3 Apr. 2025
Many healthcare professionals spend their formative years training in traditional hospital settings, leaving them unprepared for the unique demands of acute care at home.
—Jiang Li, Forbes.com, 4 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 18 Apr. 2025.
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