1
as in saying
to convey in appropriate or telling terms
the doctor was trying to formulate a good way to tell her that she would need surgery
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in preparing
to put (something) into proper and usually carefully worked out written form
a writer planning to formulate a response to what he considered a very unfair review of his work
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of formulating
Brian Dutcher and his staff work hard during the basketball season, planning practices, formulating game plans, watching film, meeting with players, visiting with high school recruits, speaking with the media, talking to administrators, attending donor events, raising money, getting on planes.
—
Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Apr. 2026
Fortunately, more and more brands are now formulating deodorants without common allergens and irritants.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2026
Scripted by Grace Glowicki and Ben Petrie (partners in life and in filmmaking), these words of seduction are music to the ears of a lonely Gravedigger (Glowicki), who has been formulating a perfume to cover up her corpse-like stench.
—Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2026
Being vocally left-leaning thus provides social status benefits and forms of self-congratulation that being conservative doesn't (if anything, in terms of the broader culture and the opinion-formulating institutions, conservatism tends to be rather lonely and something of a social liability).
—Bradley Gitz, Arkansas Online, 23 Mar. 2026
Smith referenced Chafee’s archives at the University of Arizona ahead of formulating new ideas that maximize space and allow light to filter through.
—Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 18 Mar. 2026
One of my first jobs as an intern in corporate R&D was formulating cost reductions for existing products and later developing cost-effective line extensions building on the brand equity of the original product.
—Jonathan Deutsch, The Conversation, 16 Mar. 2026
With the contract signed and keys in hand, Adler set about doing the work her firm is known for—highlighting classic structural elements, preserving history through painstaking refurbishment, and formulating the perfect mix of modern, bespoke, and antique elements.
—David Foxley, Architectural Digest, 25 Feb. 2026
Assists in formulating the branch budget and makes recommendations to the Department of Motor Vehicles chief.
—Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado
updated February 24, Sacbee.com, 24 Feb. 2026
Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Apr. 2026
Fortunately, more and more brands are now formulating deodorants without common allergens and irritants.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2026
Scripted by Grace Glowicki and Ben Petrie (partners in life and in filmmaking), these words of seduction are music to the ears of a lonely Gravedigger (Glowicki), who has been formulating a perfume to cover up her corpse-like stench.
—Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2026
Being vocally left-leaning thus provides social status benefits and forms of self-congratulation that being conservative doesn't (if anything, in terms of the broader culture and the opinion-formulating institutions, conservatism tends to be rather lonely and something of a social liability).
—Bradley Gitz, Arkansas Online, 23 Mar. 2026
Smith referenced Chafee’s archives at the University of Arizona ahead of formulating new ideas that maximize space and allow light to filter through.
—Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 18 Mar. 2026
One of my first jobs as an intern in corporate R&D was formulating cost reductions for existing products and later developing cost-effective line extensions building on the brand equity of the original product.
—Jonathan Deutsch, The Conversation, 16 Mar. 2026
With the contract signed and keys in hand, Adler set about doing the work her firm is known for—highlighting classic structural elements, preserving history through painstaking refurbishment, and formulating the perfect mix of modern, bespoke, and antique elements.
—David Foxley, Architectural Digest, 25 Feb. 2026
Assists in formulating the branch budget and makes recommendations to the Department of Motor Vehicles chief.
—Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado
updated February 24, Sacbee.com, 24 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for formulating
Verb
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That’s why what this current Magic team is saying – and not saying – matters so much.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
28 Apr. 2026
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Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche addressed those concerns in an interview with NBC's Meet the Press on Sunday, saying the suspect did not get very far.—
Tamara Keith,
NPR,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The two were caught on camera by fellow passengers who were filming while the plane was on the runway preparing for takeoff.—
Sean Joseph OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
27 Apr. 2026
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The British Embassy in Washington, DC, posted a video on social media on April 27 giving people a behind-the-scenes look at what goes into preparing afternoon tea for 650 people.—
Gabe Hauari,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Matthew Harris, of Oakland, allegedly confessed in full to the Wells Fargo bank robbery, expressing remorse and blaming his addiction to fentanyl, authorities said.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
25 Apr. 2026
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Annamalai has also criticized the AIADMK, the main opposition party in Tamil Nadu since 2021 and the BJP’s key ally in the state, accusing it of corruption and expressing skepticism about the alliance.—
Andrew Pereira,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The songs are by composing legend Mike Stoller, now 93, and a master tunesmith during the era in which much of the story spans.—
Frank Rizzo,
Variety,
23 Apr. 2026
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The track has been newly mixed and mastered and features Prince producing, arranging, composing and performing all instrumentation.—
WCCO Staff,
CBS News,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Was Hurzeler merely articulating what others in the game are too diplomatic to say?—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
12 Mar. 2026
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But when the lens shifts toward the interior, articulating the woman’s private monologues, the attitude is softer and more generous, even when her words seem steeped in a sense of ongoing dread.—
Hanif Abdurraqib,
New Yorker,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Sullivan said the discussion for drafting a quarterback came up several times among their 13 picks from Thursday through Saturday, but the other option always won out in every instance.—
David Furones,
Sun Sentinel,
26 Apr. 2026
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In the second and third rounds Friday night, Chicago turned its sights to offense, drafting three other players.—
Grace Miserocchi,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Tucker’s starting to find his way as far as putting the barrel on the ball.—
Kevin Baxter,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Apr. 2026
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The Senate Banking Committee advanced Kevin Warsh’s nomination along party lines on Wednesday, putting him on track for confirmation before Powell’s term as chair ends May 15.—
Eleanor Mueller,
semafor.com,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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That, in turn, prompted Stephan’s office to release video of the incident and a document Thursday stating that prosecutors from her office had reviewed the police officers’ actions and determined the officers were not criminally liable.—
Alex Riggins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
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Extension preserves an energy source South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster commented on the decision, stating that the extension preserves an energy source that the state relies on as demand grows.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Formulating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/formulating. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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