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
Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 6 May 2026
The brand is tapping into the nostalgia for the fun food shapes of the '90s and '00s with two brand new Tater Tot shapes, Dino Tater Tots and Star Tater Tots.
—Sabienna Bowman, PEOPLE, 6 May 2026
Bob Diamond, Fortune, 28 Apr. 2026
In China's governing structure, the Communist Party sits above the formal institutions of the state, and party bodies ultimately shape the strategic direction that government agencies implement.
—Dewardric L. McNeal, CNBC, 28 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shape
Noun
What is new, and what may have been the draw for those just tuning in, is a sense the race is finally taking a coherent shape, with Xavier Becerra unexpectedly emerging as the candidate to beat.
—Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 6 May 2026
The brand is tapping into the nostalgia for the fun food shapes of the '90s and '00s with two brand new Tater Tot shapes, Dino Tater Tots and Star Tater Tots.
—Sabienna Bowman, PEOPLE, 6 May 2026
Verb
How these questions are answered will shape Hyperliquid’s trajectory and the development, access to and adoption of next generation market infrastructure in the United States.
—Bob Diamond, Fortune, 28 Apr. 2026
In China's governing structure, the Communist Party sits above the formal institutions of the state, and party bodies ultimately shape the strategic direction that government agencies implement.
—Dewardric L. McNeal, CNBC, 28 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shape
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shape
Noun
-
Thousands of motorcyclists donning their most dapper attire will take to the streets around the world Sunday, May 17, to benefit men’s health issues — including here in Naperville.—
Carolyn Stein,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Cassidy, who cast a crucial vote for Kennedy to become health secretary, has opposed many of his vaccine policy changes, such as an update to the CDC website suggesting that there could be a link between vaccines and autism.—
Brennan Leach,
NBC news,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Friendly and open but naturally quiet, the game is her ultimate form of expression.—
Patrick Z. McGavin,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The desire to be original and authentic, and to use the creative process as a form of discovery and self-expression, largely replaced overt concerns with God.—
Luis Parrales,
The Atlantic,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Talent is not, in my mind, something that God gave you, your physique or athletic abilities.—
Eric Koreen,
New York Times,
28 Apr. 2026
-
The 38-year-old Smart, whose harrowing kidnapping story captivated the nation, announced her latest endeavor on Instagram over the weekend with a photo showing off her impressive physique.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Your ability to adapt keeps the energy alive.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
3 May 2026
-
In addition, the Academy, which adapts its rules every year, retained the right to request additional information about how AI was used and the extent of human authorship in any project that uses generative AI.—
Will McCurdy,
PC Magazine,
3 May 2026
Verb
-
Plus, Karla Subero Pittol‘s popular Venezuelan cafe Chainsaw on Melrose Hill is expanding to the space next door where dinner service is planned.—
Laurie Ochoa,
Los Angeles Times,
4 May 2026
-
Anthony Edwards, listed as questionable, is planning to give it a go, per multiple reports.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
4 May 2026
Noun
-
The victim was taken to a local hospital and listed in stable condition.—
Theresa Braine,
New York Daily News,
7 May 2026
-
The person who confirmed the FBI’s search was not authorized to discuss an ongoing investigation by name and spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity.—
Eric Tucker,
Los Angeles Times,
7 May 2026
Noun
-
The geometry of warfare in the Pacific is shifting toward land.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
6 May 2026
-
After 30,000 simulations under a slew of parameters, the model predicted an optimal geometry for the cells to maximize both light absorption and avoidance.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
4 May 2026
Noun
-
The painting’s gigantic walnut frame resembled a window set into a niche.—
Sebastian Smee,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
-
The Pistons scored 12 points off six Orlando turnovers during the frame while the Magic forced zero turnovers in the same stretch.—
Jason Beede,
The Orlando Sentinel,
3 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shape.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shape. Accessed 7 May. 2026.
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