A synergistic emulsion polymer formulation adapted for facilitating achieving desired open time or wet edge time of any aqueous coating/paint composition on application to thus result in improved workability of the coating/paint composition. The synergistic emulsion polymer formulation and the coating/paint composition including the same comprises a latex polymer derived from copolymerization of mono-ethylenically unsaturated monomers. This in combination with select sorbitol ethoxylates esterified with fatty acids as an ingredient in the formulation/composition favors the slowing down of water evaporation from the composition considerably so that it remains amenable to touch up even after several minutes of application.