Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
Definitions

formative

[fawr-muh-tiv] / ˈfɔr mə tɪv /
ADJECTIVE
influential, impressionable
Synonyms
Antonyms
WEAK
destructive noninfluential


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

His mother planned every detail of those very first, life-changing flights with her son in mind, and that gift is one formative enough to last an eternity.

From Salon • Jun. 2, 2026

The “Princess Bride” star was born in and spent his formative years kicking around London; he moved to L.A. in 1990, on his brother’s recommendation.

From Los Angeles Times • May 29, 2026

As business publication Fast Company noted, Backrooms is among several recent liminal space titles "shaped by Gen Z's most traumatic formative years".

From BBC • May 29, 2026

We’ve both found that learning to spend is difficult in the face of lifelong formative habits.

From MarketWatch • May 18, 2026

Throughout my formative years, the set remained on our library shelves, weighty and regal-looking with its gold spines.

From "Middlesex: A Novel" by Jeffrey Eugenides




Vocabulary lists containing formative


Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Look it up. Learn it forever.

Remember "formative" for good with VocabTrainer. Expand your vocabulary effortlessly with personalized learning tools that adapt to your goals.

Take me to Vocabulary.com