1
as in health
a state of being or fitness
she was in good shape after having worked outdoors all summer long
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in form
the outward appearance of something as distinguished from its substance
that part of the state is known as the panhandle because of its shape
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to adapt
to change (something) so as to make it suitable for a new use or situation
a dress shaped to the customer's particular figure
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to plan
to work out the details of (something) in advance
over the winter the committee shaped the company's new marketing strategy
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shape
Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2025
As terror takes a new shape, the real battle for survival begins.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2025
Antonio Ferme, Variety, 17 Oct. 2025
To achieve the contrast in textures, firm cookie dough is shaped into balls and rolled in powdered sugar.
—Robin Miller, AZCentral.com, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shape
Noun
The unique shape dries curls without poofing up your roots.
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2025
As terror takes a new shape, the real battle for survival begins.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2025
Verb
Six-time Tony winner Audra McDonald reflected on how her generation has shaped (and perhaps strained) the American Dream.
—Antonio Ferme, Variety, 17 Oct. 2025
To achieve the contrast in textures, firm cookie dough is shaped into balls and rolled in powdered sugar.
—Robin Miller, AZCentral.com, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shape
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shape
Noun
-
This new health setback for the 15-time major champion has sparked intense debate in the golf world.—
Julio Cesar Valdera Morales,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 Oct. 2025
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The research report noted 80% of American households age 60 and over would not be able to withstand a financial shock, such as a divorce or health setback, making savings in cash or cash-like securities important, Davis said.—
Medora Lee,
USA Today,
18 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
There’s also an argument to load up with two Arsenal defenders, given their form and fixtures.—
Holly Shand,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
-
This one does things a bit differently, though, being of the non-aerosol variety and instead doling out its magic in powder form.—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
15 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
In an August 2008 SPIN Magazine interview, then-manager Dominique Trenier explained that D'Angelo's body was in the best shape of his life, but his muscular physique was new at the time of the filming.—
Angela Andaloro,
PEOPLE,
14 Oct. 2025
-
It was filmed shortly after Luka was on the cover of Men’s Health magazine with his new physique.—
Zach Harper,
New York Times,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
According to Edwards, Brooke deliberately portrayed Arabella as struggling to adapt to her new home and her Canadian identity.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
18 Oct. 2025
-
The research team also revealed that the robots can change their shape and gait to adapt to different terrains or to perform a variety of functions, such as gripping and lifting objects.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The researchers plan to address the light sensitivity issue by modifying how the vitamin interacts with the electrolyte and by improving the engineering of the flow cell itself.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Oct. 2025
-
Thomas Tuchel plans to speak to the Real Madrid midfielder.—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Heyward suggested that the conditions played a role in the injury, which is expected to end Killebrew’s season.—
Mike DeFabo,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
-
The system has the ability to show warehouse operators how much of the warehouse is occupied, whether products and pallets are in the right location, how storage conditions seem and more.—
Meghan Hall,
Sourcing Journal,
15 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Boissevain’s nature photography captures these in-transition landscapes in vivid hues and alien geometries, from close-ups of jellyfish-like crystal deposits to aerial shots of what scans like the surface of Mars.—
Randy McMullen,
Mercury News,
16 Oct. 2025
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Its geometry can be tailored for specific scenarios, and in one demonstration, the humanoid gymnast robot used its flexible limbs to swing along a ceiling for locomotion.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The fact that the first two scores of a 43-point final frame — a 2-yard Troy Franklin score for the Broncos and a 41-yard Theo Johnson touchdown for the Giants — each came on deflections might not crack the top five craziest happenings in the final 15 minutes.—
Parker Gabriel,
Denver Post,
20 Oct. 2025
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Look closely near the corners or edges of the frame for a blurry patch, smeared light, or a soft square that looks slightly out of focus — that’s where the watermark used to be.—
Jennifer Jolly,
USA Today,
20 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shape.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shape. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.
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