formulate

[ fawr-myuh-leyt ]

/ ˈfɔr myəˌleɪt /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for: formulate / formulated / formulating / formulation on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), for·mu·lat·ed, for·mu·lat·ing.

to express in precise form; state definitely or systematically: He finds it extremely difficult to formulate his new theory.

to devise or develop, as a method, system, etc.

to reduce to or express in a formula.

OTHER WORDS FOR formulate

1 articulate, frame, compose, define, specify.

See synonyms for formulate on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

QUIZ YOURSELF ON "IS" VS. "ARE"

"Is" it time for a new quiz? "Are" you ready? Then prove your excellent skills on using "is" vs. "are."

Question 1 of 7

IS and ARE are both forms of which verb?

have

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of formulate

First recorded in 1855–60; formul(a) + -ate¹

OTHER WORDS FROM formulate

for·mu·la·ble

[fawr-myuh-luh-buhl], /ˈfɔr myə lə bəl/, adjectivefor·mu·la·tion, nounfor·mu·la·tor, nounnon·for·mu·la·tion, noun

pre·for·mu·late, verb (used with object), pre·for·mu·lat·ed, pre·for·mu·lat·ing.pre·for·mu·la·tion, nounun·for·mu·lat·ed, adjectivewell-for·mu·lat·ed, adjective

Words nearby formulate

formula, formulaic, Formula One, formularize, formulary, formulate, formulation, formula unit, formula weight, formulism, formulize

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use formulate in a sentence

Decision making is about formulating alternative plans of action, considering their consequences, and choosing between them.
What a study of video games can tell us about being better decision makers|Walter Frick|September 6, 2020|Quartz
It’s possible, the third employee speculated, that the lack of a strategy being communicated could be the result of their company’s top leaders formulating an overall strategy that has yet to trickle down.
‘Feels very much lip service’: Media employees agitate over companies’ inaction following diversity and inclusion pledges|Tim Peterson|August 31, 2020|Digiday
And, as the Democrats’ platform and policy plans are formulated, the Sanders wing of the party has continued to play this role.
Biden Had To Fight For The Presidential Nomination. But Most VPs Have To.|Julia Azari|August 20, 2020|FiveThirtyEight
The idea was formulated at the tail end of the Cold War as a multinational collaboration, but design work didn’t properly start until the turn of the millennium, and its parent organization wasn’t launched until 2007.
Construction of the World’s Biggest Nuclear Fusion Plant Just Started in France|Edd Gent|August 3, 2020|Singularity Hub

We have since engaged in detailed conversations with Facebook and are pleased to see their new commitments based on a four-point action plan formulated by the Global Alliance for Responsible Media.
As the Facebook boycott ends, brand advertisers are split on what happens next with their marketing budgets|Seb Joseph|August 3, 2020|Digiday
There were wiki pages where users could jointly formulate and debate the rules.
You Can Look It Up: The Wikipedia Story|Walter Isaacson|October 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
After reading the script for this episode, did you formulate any theories about why the Terminans do what they do?
Andrew Lincoln Wants Rick to End With Johnny Cash and the Sunset|Melissa Leon|October 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He asked Vice President Joe Biden to help formulate ways to curb gun violence.
Hollywood, Shootings, and ‘2 Guns’: When Is Stylized Violence Obscene?|Michael Daly|July 30, 2013|DAILY BEAST
It works with members of Congress and the Obama administration to formulate center-left progressive policies.
Intramural War of Words Raises Question of Who Loves Israel More|Linda Killian|January 6, 2012|DAILY BEAST
So yes, there was a change in that we applied those algorithms, or the results there-of, to formulate the "who"/"what" response.
Behind the Scenes With the Team That Built Jeopardy's Watson|The Daily Beast|February 23, 2011|DAILY BEAST
He attempted to formulate some plans in his mind, and after a time it occurred to him that he should go back West to Gregory.
The Homesteader|Oscar Micheaux
He even began to formulate plans by which he could lure the unsuspecting Peter Levine into telling what he knew.
The Outdoor Girls in the Saddle|Laura Lee Hope
Bristow did not have time or need to formulate an excuse for his presence before Mr. Fulton rushed up the steps to meet Maria.
The Winning Clue|James Hay, Jr.
It is hardly possible of course from a distance of 57 miles to formulate an accurate idea of a mountain's shape.
Mount Everest the Reconnaissance, 1921|Charles Kenneth Howard-Bury
He toiled in the daytime to formulate his thoughts for the evening.
Wayside Courtships|Hamlin Garland

British Dictionary definitions for formulate

formulate

/ (ˈfɔːmjʊˌleɪt) /

verb (tr)

to put into or express in systematic terms; express in or as if in a formula

to devise

Derived forms of formulate

formulator, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

formulate

OTHER WORDS FOR formulate

Origin of formulate

OTHER WORDS FROM formulate

Words nearby formulate

Words related to formulate

How to use formulate in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for formulate

Derived forms of formulate