1
as in shape
the outward appearance of something as distinguished from its substance
the wood-carver carved the block of wood into the form of a duck
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
3
as in manner
personal conduct or behavior as evaluated by an accepted standard of appropriateness for a social or professional setting
it's bad form to throw a tantrum on the court just because you lost a tennis match
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in condition
a state of being or fitness
after a long season off, the football team is back in good form
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
6
as in ritual
an oft-repeated action or series of actions performed in accordance with tradition or a set of rules
we'll use the second form in our church missals for today's Lenten service
Synonyms & Similar Words
7
as in etiquette
socially acceptable behavior
displayed good form throughout the formal dinner
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
8
as in method
the means or procedure for doing something
there are established forms for voting on motions and amendments at meetings
Synonyms & Similar Words
9
10
as in format
the way in which the elements of something (as a work of art) are arranged
museumgoers liked the asymmetrical form of the mobile
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in to crystallize
to take on a definite form
my ideas on the subject are just starting to form
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to comprise
to be all the substance of
this one sentence really forms the basis of your argument
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to produce
to bring into being by combining, shaping, or transforming materials
formed the pot out of the clay
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to start
to come into existence
the new company formed from two smaller ones
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in to develop
to come to have gradually
I don't want you beginning skiers to form any bad habits
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 form
Julia Teti, Footwear News, 17 Feb. 2026
Mark Browning, the boss of Rob & Rylan’s Passage to India studio Zinc Media Group, is all for this form of diagonal integration.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 17 Feb. 2026
Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 16 Feb. 2026
Navigating isolation and uncertainty, BOY forms an unexpected connection with a new physiotherapist while also spending time with his eccentric grandmother.
—K.j. Yossman, Variety, 16 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for form
Noun
Discreet pockets on the PowerHold leggings offer a new form of function — invisible to the eye but effective and useful.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 17 Feb. 2026
Mark Browning, the boss of Rob & Rylan’s Passage to India studio Zinc Media Group, is all for this form of diagonal integration.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 17 Feb. 2026
Verb
He is expected to face familiar heavyweights, some of whom are banding together to form an opposition coalition.
—Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 16 Feb. 2026
Navigating isolation and uncertainty, BOY forms an unexpected connection with a new physiotherapist while also spending time with his eccentric grandmother.
—K.j. Yossman, Variety, 16 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for form
Recent Examples of Synonyms for form
Noun
-
Each fancy vivid stone was perfectly matched in intensity and quality, but presented in different shapes—squares, emeralds, Asschers, or hearts, for example—that were chosen for their fire and saturation.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
18 Feb. 2026
-
The marks of Timinsky’s drawing are quite visible on these shapes, suggesting the energetic scrubbing motion that must have made them.—
Benjamin Lima,
Dallas Morning News,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Gates was subsequently asked about the latest documents in an interview with CNN-affiliate Nine News in Australia.—
Lex Harvey,
CNN Money,
19 Feb. 2026
-
In response to claims by the prominent late Epstein victim Virginia Giuffre, who claimed in court documents that Wexner was among men Epstein trafficked her to, Wexner testified to utter devotion to his wife of 33 years, Abigail.—
JULIE CARR SMYTH THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Sunday’s border battle at Wisconsin began in an inauspicious manner for the Minnesota women’s basketball team.—
Staff Report,
Twin Cities,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Loro Piana’s artisans comb and spin the materials then twist two strands of yarn together in a measured manner, which enhances the innate qualities of each fiber.—
Luisa Zargani,
Footwear News,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Prosecutors say the defendant failed to take into account his girlfriend’s inexperience in mountain climbing as well as the harsh winter conditions.—
Sophie Tanno,
CNN Money,
19 Feb. 2026
-
The crews have not yet been able to remove the victims from the mountain because of the extreme conditions, the sheriff said.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Even Pop Mart, the toy maker behind the Labubu dolls, also operates a theme park in Beijing.—
Evelyn Cheng,
CNBC,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Autism is a spectrum, and no single doll can represent every child’s experience.—
Tiffany Hodges,
Sun Sentinel,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The Spa’s Herb Garden taps the island’s organic bounty, growing plants used in treatments, rituals, and teas.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
15 Feb. 2026
-
In one, second-generation immigrant Gloria (Katy Correa) returns to her father’s home village in rural Guinea-Bissau for a traditional memorial ritual to mark the old man’s recent passing, and to introduce her twentysomething daughter Nour (D’Johé Kouadio) to her ancestral motherland.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Global interest in curling surged over the past week when a cheating controversy erupted at the Winter Olympics, rocking a staid, 500-year-old sport known for its etiquette, manners and friendliness.—
Steve Douglas,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Feb. 2026
-
In fact, modern etiquette dictates that the one who invites is the one who should pay.—
Harriette Cole,
Mercury News,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
But global warming threw a wrench into this method.—
Andrew Freedman,
CNN Money,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Credit cards, debit cards and mobile payment methods are accepted.—
Ed Masley,
AZCentral.com,
16 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Form.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/form. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
