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
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of shape (up)
Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 17 Oct. 2025
The upcoming edition of the biannual event is shaping up to be McIlroy's debut as captain.
—Julio Cesar Valdera Morales, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Oct. 2025
The cover sheet of the rankings stated that CIF-SS Division 1 is shaping up to be a 12-16 team division.
—Steve Fryer, Oc Register, 15 Oct. 2025
This year is shaping up to become one of the hottest on record.
—Jon-David Regis, NBC news, 12 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shape (up)
Verb
Part of life moving on is appointing a new battalion chief, which was shaping up to be quite a fight, with Bode and Jake going at each other at the funeral.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 17 Oct. 2025
The upcoming edition of the biannual event is shaping up to be McIlroy's debut as captain.
—Julio Cesar Valdera Morales, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Oct. 2025
The cover sheet of the rankings stated that CIF-SS Division 1 is shaping up to be a 12-16 team division.
—Steve Fryer, Oc Register, 15 Oct. 2025
This year is shaping up to become one of the hottest on record.
—Jon-David Regis, NBC news, 12 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shape (up)
Cite this Entry
“Shape (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shape%20%28up%29. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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