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
Matt Parrott, Arkansas Online, 18 May 2025
Really, this is the source of the film’s inner anguish, captured in narrative form.
—Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 17 May 2025
Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2025
An offshoot of the group formed in response to the 2019 revocation, TRF, claimed responsibility for the attack.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 24 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for form
Noun
This week's exercise is a great example of that, as the Kneeling Medicine Ball Slam features a movement arc overhead that wouldn't be possible with other forms of resistance.
—Matt Parrott, Arkansas Online, 18 May 2025
Really, this is the source of the film’s inner anguish, captured in narrative form.
—Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 17 May 2025
Verb
An eruption is unlikely for now Typically, gases like water and carbon dioxide can separate and form bubbles during the rise and decompression of magma.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2025
An offshoot of the group formed in response to the 2019 revocation, TRF, claimed responsibility for the attack.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 24 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for form
Recent Examples of Synonyms for form
Noun
-
Amazon Just Canceled The No. 2 Show In Its Top 10 List Ergonomic Shape And Angle The MX Ergo S trackball has a shape that’s similar to the legendary Logitech MX 3S mouse, probably one of the most popular premium mice on the market.—
Mark Sparrow,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2025
-
California Spider monkey found in Rolls-Royce during traffic stop in critical shape.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
17 May 2025
Noun
-
Reductions had started at Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, Labor, AmeriCorps and the Small Business Administration, according to court documents.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
19 May 2025
-
Court documents filed in March 2025 revealed prosecutors intend to include a college assignment written by Kohberger as evidence.—
Corin Cesaric,
People.com,
18 May 2025
Noun
-
This treatment offers the potential for full recovery, provided it is administered in a timely manner.—
Mill Etienne,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2025
-
But the manner of their leaving will probably also be taken into account.—
Fred Weir,
Christian Science Monitor,
14 May 2025
Noun
-
Upon arrival, firefighters encountered heavy smoke and active fire conditions.—
Richard Requena,
Chicago Tribune,
13 May 2025
-
Those winds may down tree limbs and create difficult driving conditions, especially for high-profile vehicles.—
Anna Skinner,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 May 2025
Noun
-
In fact, these dolls might be the one thing that’s hotter than a Birkin bag in 2025.—
Irene Kim,
Vogue,
14 May 2025
-
Just north of Magic Mountain’s roller coasters, hidden within the vast, anonymous industrial parks of Valencia, lies the secret lab where the murderous doll M3GAN was born.—
Joshua Rothkopf,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2025
Noun
-
In each iteration, the body of the deceased was pulled by livestock or carried by boat while mourners performed rituals to honor their lives and, in some cultures, to encourage safe passage for the spirit into the afterlife.—
Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott,
Southern Living,
10 May 2025
-
Pope Leo’s election has instantly made the rituals of the Vatican feel a touch more familiar to Americans—and perhaps made the idea of holiness feel a touch more attainable.—
Christopher Hale,
Time,
9 May 2025
Noun
-
Between various lessons on packing, lodge etiquette on the trek to Base Camp, and where to ask for toilet paper, Coster returned again and again to reminders for the group to chill out and enjoy the journey.—
Ben Ayers,
Outside Online,
22 Apr. 2025
-
Practicing proper etiquette and being kind should always take precedence over having material things.—
Jennifer Prince,
Southern Living,
19 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
In contrast with Lutherans and other Reformation faiths, Calvinism insisted on discipline as a key method for unifying communities.—
Livia Gershon,
JSTOR Daily,
9 May 2025
-
Use PayPal, Venmo, online banking or another accepted payment method to make a deposit of $5 or more.—
Tyler Everett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Form.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/form. Accessed 21 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share