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)
Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 15 July 2025
With the Big, Beautiful Bill now signed into law — and with interest rates, tax incentives and construction dynamics shifting in real time — 2025 is shaping up to be one of the most pivotal years in recent memory for commercial real estate decision-makers.
—Allen Buchanan, Oc Register, 12 July 2025
Earnings rewind: This is shaping up to be one tricky earnings season.
—Jeff Marks, CNBC, 25 July 2025
Amid a handful of new faces being brought in, head coach Brian Daboll laid out how the depth chart is shaping up ahead of the 2025 season.
Midway through last season, the Giants decided to cut ties with former top-ten pick Daniel Jones.
—Kevin McCormick, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for shape (up)
Verb
The 33-year-old socialist Mamdani, who has said the Boston mayor Wu is his role model, will now face Cuomo again in November in what’s shaping up as a last ditch, uphill battle to keep the far left from taking over New York City.
—Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 15 July 2025
With the Big, Beautiful Bill now signed into law — and with interest rates, tax incentives and construction dynamics shifting in real time — 2025 is shaping up to be one of the most pivotal years in recent memory for commercial real estate decision-makers.
—Allen Buchanan, Oc Register, 12 July 2025
Earnings rewind: This is shaping up to be one tricky earnings season.
—Jeff Marks, CNBC, 25 July 2025
Amid a handful of new faces being brought in, head coach Brian Daboll laid out how the depth chart is shaping up ahead of the 2025 season.
Midway through last season, the Giants decided to cut ties with former top-ten pick Daniel Jones.
—Kevin McCormick, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 July 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 19 Aug. 2025.
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