FORMATIVE Synonyms: 9 Similar and Opposite Words

formative

adjective

ˈfȯr-mə-tiv

Definition of formative

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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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of formative Speaking to Rolling Stone in 2004, Usher recalled a few formative months living out of Combs’ New York home. — Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 23 Sep. 2026 The next Sam Altman or Elon Musk is probably spending their formative young adult years in one of these debaucherous dens. — Frank Landymore, Futurism, 23 Sep. 2026 The show ruled television from 1994 to 2004, a formative time for many millennials like myself and our personal style. — Erin Parker, Glamour, 22 Sep. 2026 This collection will reconnect McGirr with some of those formative London influences while also bringing McQueen back into the orbit of some of its first-generation collaborators. — Luke Leitch, Vogue, 19 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for formative

Recent Examples of Synonyms for formative

Adjective

Erin Kleinberg, founder of body and fragrance brand Sidia and co-founder of creative agency Métier, built her brand with that discipline in mind.

— Rhea Cartwright, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2026
In addition to traditional advertising and marketing, out-of-the-box creative strategies and unconventional endeavors are at the core of his mission to get that word out that the once-wayward brand is back.

— Alexa LoMonaco, CNBC, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of creative

Adjective

Get absorbed in work, movement, or a project that lets your energy become productive instead of argumentative.

— Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 2 Oct. 2026
In rebuttal, the Speaker claimed the current House has been the second most productive in the history of the institution, and the most productive in the last 80 years.

— Don Wolfensberger, Washington Post, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of productive

Adjective

The hope for all in the paddock will be for constructive efforts to ensure any similar events are prevented in the future.

— Luke Smith, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026
Key career milestones, like performance reviews, constructive feedback, career development conversations and major organizational changes, should remain strictly human to human.

— Carrie Varoquiers, Forbes.com, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of constructive

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formations

formative

formats

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“Formative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/formative. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of formative

adjective

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