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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shape
Andy Jones, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2026
The hardscape design take backyard meals to the next level by having the grill built into the countertops that extend in an L-shape to a semi-open bar.
—Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 7 Apr. 2026
Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 14 Apr. 2026
Maryland’s State House, which is the oldest continuously operating legislative building in the country, where General George Washington resigned his commission as head of the Continental Army, is a place defined by moments that shape the future.
—Lester Davis, Baltimore Sun, 14 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shape
Noun
Matches where Slot’s side have managed to maintain a compact defensive shape this season have predominantly come in the Champions League, during victories over Real Madrid, Inter, Marseille and Galatasaray.
—Andy Jones, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2026
The hardscape design take backyard meals to the next level by having the grill built into the countertops that extend in an L-shape to a semi-open bar.
—Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 7 Apr. 2026
Verb
Retired Israeli strategist Gabi Siboni said Turkey's behavior in Syria is shaping threat perceptions.
—Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 14 Apr. 2026
Maryland’s State House, which is the oldest continuously operating legislative building in the country, where General George Washington resigned his commission as head of the Continental Army, is a place defined by moments that shape the future.
—Lester Davis, Baltimore Sun, 14 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shape
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shape
Noun
-
The less experienced Tyler Kolek’s playing time decreased as well as the squad returned to full health.—
Fiifi Frimpong,
New York Daily News,
10 Apr. 2026
-
His health had been in decline for years due to progressive supranuclear palsy, a rare neurological disorder.—
Tess Kenny,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Polka dots are just about everywhere this spring, and the bold, timeless pattern is also the easiest statement to style—especially in the form of the Cider Polka Dot Midi Skirt.—
Merrell Readman,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Apr. 2026
-
All those metrics are quickly met in the Ultra Fit class, but vigorous activity comes in many forms, each pushing the body to its limit in a short span of time.—
Jeff Wagner,
CBS News,
14 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
His videos show a leaner, more muscular physique — the kind often celebrated across social media platforms.—
Grace Baek,
CBS News,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Doing away with the classic Humpty Dumpty physique, chef Nicolas Cloiseau opts for something less banal and more cubic, channeling his inner Picasso.—
Air Mail,
Air Mail,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
A lot of people were circling this to try to adapt it.—
Jennifer Wilson,
New Yorker,
12 Apr. 2026
-
The star adds that finding new, innovative ways to adapt her songs for the stage has been one of her favorite parts of touring in general.—
Christian Allaire,
Vogue,
12 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The people who plan years in advance, who spend great fortunes, and for what?—
David Sedaris,
New Yorker,
13 Apr. 2026
-
Ladeana says her family plans to organize another big search for Josh at the end of May, around his 39th birthday.—
Meghan O'Brien,
NBC news,
13 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Either way, this decisive energy favors clear asks and tangible action over chasing perfect conditions.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Details of her condition were not released.—
Mark Price
April 9,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The building is simultaneously elegant and jarring, an audacious pavilion on stilts, dramatic in its geometry and Nordic in style—as if it had been airlifted from the other side of the northern Atlantic.—
Akash Kapur,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Play with geometry An artful pendant light adds a dose of charm to this laundry room by Sara Hillery, the founder of Sara Hillery Interior Design in Richmond, Virginia.—
Lindsey Mather,
Architectural Digest,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Unlike Meta’s glasses, whose frames are designed by Ray-Ban, Apple’s frames will be conceptualized by an in-house team.—
Jibin Joseph,
PC Magazine,
13 Apr. 2026
-
Organized by the curatorial fellow Yifu Liu, the show has trimmings in just about every frame.—
Emilia Petrarca,
New Yorker,
13 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shape.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shape. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.
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