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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shape (up)
Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 May 2025
Listen to this article 5 min EXCLUSIVE: The California high school track and field state championship is shaping up to be one of the most unprecedented high school sports events in recent history.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 30 May 2025
Typically the best summer airfare prices dry up by late May and early June, but 2025 isn’t shaping up to be like most years.
—Nicolas Vega, CNBC, 25 May 2025
Liverpool is shaping up for a busy summer transfer window.
—Graham Ruthven, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for shape (up)
Verb
With Republicans energized and the Trump factor still strong, this is shaping up to be a close and unpredictable race this early on.
—Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 May 2025
Listen to this article 5 min EXCLUSIVE: The California high school track and field state championship is shaping up to be one of the most unprecedented high school sports events in recent history.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 30 May 2025
Typically the best summer airfare prices dry up by late May and early June, but 2025 isn’t shaping up to be like most years.
—Nicolas Vega, CNBC, 25 May 2025
Liverpool is shaping up for a busy summer transfer window.
—Graham Ruthven, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025
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 10 Jun. 2025.
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