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shape (up) 1 of 2

verb (1)

Definition of shape (up)next
as in to form
to take on a definite form this group of summer interns is shaping up to be one of the best we've ever hired

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

shape up

2 of 2

verb (2)

as in to improve
to change one's behavior or character for the better told his son that if he didn't shape up, he'd be grounded for a month

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of shape (up)
Verb
The album is shaping up to be another genre-hopping entry in Tinashe’s catalog, with the singer moving between dance, pop and R&B without sounding solely interested in picking just one lane. — Alicia Urrea, Billboard, 10 Sep. 2026 Next week, the last time the House will be in session until after the midterm elections, is shaping up to be busy. — John Wilkerson, STAT, 10 Sep. 2026 New Hampshire’s premier Senate race is on after party leaders secured their top choices in what’s shaping up to be one of the tightest contests in the entire country come November. — Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 9 Sep. 2026 Thursday is shaping up to be the hottest day of the week and also the one with the greatest chance of rain. — The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Sun, 8 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for shape (up)
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shape (up)
  1. form
  2. improve
  3. behave
  4. amend
  5. better
  6. reform
Verb
  • Related The jazz five-piece formed in a youth club, Tomorrow’s Warriors in Enfield, north London, before growing steadily into a must-see live act and cultural leader.
    — Thomas Smith, Billboard, 16 Sep. 2026
  • The salt forms a passivation layer that helps protect the material from defects and degradation under prolonged illumination.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of form
Verb
  • The company says this could improve system visibility while reducing downtime, warranty exposure, and costs associated with maintenance and battery augmentation.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 16 Sep. 2026
  • State agencies want to improve access to early childhood settings for children with disabilities and developmental delays.
    — Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of improve
Verb
  • Under the right circumstances, a star – or even a planet – can behave like a natural magnifying glass.
    — Thomas Fauchez, The Conversation, 14 Sep. 2026
  • The market already punishes models that behave in unpredictable or unauthorized ways.
    — Kevin Breuninger,CJ Haddad, CNBC, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of behave
Verb
  • The order was later amended to demand that two dozen videos believed to have been posted by Bourne be removed from several platforms, the Davis newspaper reported.
    — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 16 Sep. 2026
  • Unlike all of these, but very much like the Massachusetts Constitution of 1780, which has been amended more than a hundred times, it was meant to be revised, updated, and improved.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of amend
Verb
  • Yet again, nobody on the field bettered the Bosnian’s 13 defensive contributions, the majority of which came down to his nine clearances.
    — Beren Cross, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Parton dedicated her life and career to bettering the world in so many ways, from her Dollywood theme park to her Imagination Library, which has promoted childhood literacy through delivering millions of books to children.
    — Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of better
Verb
  • Both Republican and Democratic lawmakers are calling for legislation to reform healthcare in the state next year.
    — Livi Stanford, Hartford Courant, 16 Sep. 2026
  • Senators elected in November will be part of the class that either lets Social Security's trust fund run dry or reform the program, analysts noted.
    — Medora Lee, USA Today, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of reform

Browse Nearby Words

shapes up
shape (up)
shape up
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Cite this Entry

“Shape (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shape%20%28up%29. Accessed 20 Sep. 2026.

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