shape (up) 1 of 2

verb (1)

Definition of shape (up)next
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

shape up

2 of 2

verb (2)

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of shape (up)
Verb
As this chart from Nancy Vanden Houten at Oxford Economics shows, the 2026 fiscal year was shaping up to have smaller deficits than 2025, until very recently. — Jim Edwards, Fortune, 14 Aug. 2026 Fall 2026 is shaping up to be a major season for statement footwear, but one of the most polished trends, the high-vamp pump, is surprisingly understated. — Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 13 Aug. 2026 Here's how the primaries in those key districts — as well as an open seat in the 7th Congressional District, where the son-in-law of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is vying to win — are shaping up. — Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026 Halloween 2026 is already shaping up to be a big year for coordinated costumes, with families getting creative about dressing up together. — ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for shape (up)
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shape (up)
  1. form
  2. improve
  3. behave
  4. amend
  5. better
  6. reform
Verb
  • The luxury of doing less Arriving on the largest island in the Grenadine archipelago, one that was formed millions of years ago by volcanic activity, Sandals Saint Vincent is the latest addition to the company’s portfolio.
    — Judith Garrison, AJC.com, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Ataii, Streiff, Pirnazar and Kuo also are two-way players and form a core group of seniors with Pruter.
    — Dan Albano, Oc Register, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of form
Verb
  • The upgrade focuses on the aircraft’s mission systems, combining new hardware and software to improve situational awareness and reduce the workload on its crew.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 19 Aug. 2026
  • But with races like the one in Alaska, the party sees an opportunity to improve its chances.
    — Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of improve
Verb
  • Diagnoses of autism, a neurodevelopmental condition that affects how people communicate and behave, have increased roughly fivefold over the past couple of decades.
    — Amanda Seitz, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026
  • That adaptability is important because the researchers found that traditional deterministic planning works well when everything behaves exactly as expected.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of behave
Verb
  • The latest vote takes a key step in a yearslong process to amend the city’s planning, and included potential increases in density in urban areas and additions of parking requirements.
    — Luis Melecio-Zambrano, Mercury News, 19 Aug. 2026
  • On August 10, the CFTC amended ElectronX’s designation to permit intermediated trading through futures commission merchants.
    — Josipa Majic Predin, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of amend
Verb
  • His revered mentor, José Antonio Abreu, who founded the educational program in 1975 with the conviction that learning music can, in bettering lives, lead to profound social change.
    — Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Asking for feedback is only one step of the process in bettering your organization.
    — Kate Wieczorek, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026
Definition of better
Verb
  • Amnesty International has urged Syria to end trials in absentia and the use of the death penalty, incorporate crimes under international law into domestic legislation and reform the judiciary.
    — Paula Hancocks, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026
  • The group notes other states, such as Illinois, New Jersey and New York have either reformed or ended cash bail.
    — Kaitlin McCallum, Hartford Courant, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of reform

Browse Nearby Words

shapes up
shape (up)
shape up
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Cite this Entry

“Shape (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shape%20%28up%29. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

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