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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of shape (up)
Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 16 Mar. 2026
After the cold open, however, the episode shaped up to be a solid one.
—Charu Sinha, Vulture, 15 Mar. 2026
Here’s a look at what’s shaping up to be a showdown.
—John O'Connor, Fortune, 14 Mar. 2026
The theater also lets its audience know how a season is shaping up by placing a list of titles being considered.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 14 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shape (up)
Verb
With the final full week of spring training underway, here’s how those roles are shaping up.
—Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 16 Mar. 2026
After the cold open, however, the episode shaped up to be a solid one.
—Charu Sinha, Vulture, 15 Mar. 2026
Here’s a look at what’s shaping up to be a showdown.
—John O'Connor, Fortune, 14 Mar. 2026
The theater also lets its audience know how a season is shaping up by placing a list of titles being considered.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 14 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 21 Mar. 2026.
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