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
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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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Recent Examples of shape (up)
Paul Tenorio, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2026
Named for the famous French liqueur, chartreuse is shaping up to be the shade of spring.
—Christina Holevas, Vogue, 9 Mar. 2026
The starting infield is shaping up with Murakami at first base, Meidroth at second, Montgomery at shortstop and Vargas at third.
—Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 8 Mar. 2026
Sunday shapes up to be more than a two-man race.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shape (up)
Verb
Here’s how each of us sees the squad shaping up about a week before it gets announced – a largely united approach with just one difference.
—Paul Tenorio, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2026
Named for the famous French liqueur, chartreuse is shaping up to be the shade of spring.
—Christina Holevas, Vogue, 9 Mar. 2026
The starting infield is shaping up with Murakami at first base, Meidroth at second, Montgomery at shortstop and Vargas at third.
—Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 8 Mar. 2026
Sunday shapes up to be more than a two-man race.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Mar. 2026
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 13 Mar. 2026.
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