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
His longevity in the industry is unique for someone like Murray, who started out modeling before being cast in a litany of hunky heartthrob roles on the television shows and movies that have proven to be formative works in the millennial psyche.
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Caroline Thayer, Fox News, 27 Nov. 2024
Of all the formative experiences in my life, right?
—Outside Online, 13 Nov. 2024
But their formative years have also been shaped by major economic dislocations like the pandemic as well as the highest inflation in more than 40 years, heavy student debt, and a tight housing market that is accessible to fewer Americans.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 23 Nov. 2024
With all his influences on full display, Cloudy offers a rare peek into the formative years of one of R&B’s most interesting and most underrated singer-songwriters, now 27.
—Kyle Denis, Billboard, 21 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for formative 
Caroline Thayer, Fox News, 27 Nov. 2024
Of all the formative experiences in my life, right?
—Outside Online, 13 Nov. 2024
But their formative years have also been shaped by major economic dislocations like the pandemic as well as the highest inflation in more than 40 years, heavy student debt, and a tight housing market that is accessible to fewer Americans.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 23 Nov. 2024
With all his influences on full display, Cloudy offers a rare peek into the formative years of one of R&B’s most interesting and most underrated singer-songwriters, now 27.
—Kyle Denis, Billboard, 21 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for formative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for formative
Adjective
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The dynamic rushing attack, which uses misdirection and some of the more creative play designs in college football, has led Army to its most successful season in years – including its first conference championship in school history.Kyle Feldscher, CNN, 14 Dec. 2024
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During the period between the ‘80s and ‘90s when Factory and the Haçienda were active, women were vital in the business and creative sides of those endeavors from music and film to visual design and DJ-ing (One female staffer went so far as to climb the roof of the Haçienda to fix a leak).David Chiu, Forbes, 14 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Not every conversation can lead to a productive dialogue.Carine Harb, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2024
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Rapid digital transformation, and a maturing population of digital-natives, have created a productive environment for financial technology innovation.Stephen Bohanon, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Real news can be honest, hopeful, credible, constructive.Bruce Shipowski, The Christian Science Monitor, 13 Dec. 2024
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This year, our Center at NYU Stern launched a multi-stakeholder working group to advance informed and constructive regulation of the industry, which includes companies, regulators, academic experts, and representatives of civil society.Michael Posner, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near formative
Cite this Entry
“Formative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/formative. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
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