transformative

adjective

trans·​for·​ma·​tive tran(t)s-ˈfȯr-mə-tiv How to pronounce transformative (audio)
: causing or able to cause an important and lasting change in someone or something
a transformative experience
And she'll tell anyone who asks about her transformative weeks working for UNICEF in Congo and Cambodia.—S. L. Price
It is increasingly hard to escape the conclusion that American politics has entered one of those rare transformative moments that shape the content of our public discourse and the direction of our governance for generations.—Doug Ireland

Examples of transformative in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Then that early-modern wave of mechanical cutting and pasting petered out, and classicists went back to their traditional preference for transformative imitation. — Mario Carpo, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2026 She is driven by a commitment to creating hopeful, transformative representations of Native life, especially for youth, offering characters and stories that reflect strength, possibility and self-recognition. — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 31 Aug. 2026 From a design-forward city escape to an eco-friendly island retreat (and a uniquely historic getaway coming soon), discover what Patina can offer globe-trotters interested in a transformative way of traveling through life and through the world. — Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Aug. 2026 Stivale agrees, noting that playing with scale through things like oversized artwork, eye-catching area rugs, and an assortment of houseplants can also be transformative. — Ashley Chalmers, The Spruce, 30 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for transformative

Word History

First Known Use

1668, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of transformative was in 1668

Rhymes for transformative

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Browse Nearby Words

transformation temperature
transformative
transformer
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Cite this Entry

“Transformative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/transformative. Accessed 3 Sep. 2026.

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