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)
Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 7 May 2025
The election is shaping up to be a battle between the party's old guard and a crop of younger lawmakers looking to bypass the seniority system to put up a more vigorous opposition to the Trump administration.
—Andrew Solender, Axios, 6 May 2025
The June 14 event is shaping up as a flash point for tensions between Trump's critics and supporters.
—Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 May 2025
The resulting contest between Levine and Brannan has shaped up into a highly competitive contest, with both candidates racking up high-profile endorsements and pulling in hundreds of thousands of dollars in contributions.
—Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 2 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for shape (up)
Verb
How quickly Harvey picks up what Payton is asking in that department will go a long way in determining how the running back room shapes up.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 7 May 2025
The election is shaping up to be a battle between the party's old guard and a crop of younger lawmakers looking to bypass the seniority system to put up a more vigorous opposition to the Trump administration.
—Andrew Solender, Axios, 6 May 2025
The June 14 event is shaping up as a flash point for tensions between Trump's critics and supporters.
—Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 May 2025
The resulting contest between Levine and Brannan has shaped up into a highly competitive contest, with both candidates racking up high-profile endorsements and pulling in hundreds of thousands of dollars in contributions.
—Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 2 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 21 May. 2025.
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