Synonyms of shape (up)

shape (up) 1 of 2

verb (1)

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

• form
• crystallize
• connect
• solidify
• link (up)
• join
• jell
• combine
• fuse
• coalesce
• cohere
• couple
• unite
• unify
• associate
• conjugate
• conjoin

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• break down
• decay
• decompose
• disintegrate

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• improve
• straighten (up or out)
• behave
• amend
• better
• clean up one's act
• reform
• regenerate
• mend

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• regress
• backslide

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of shape (up)

Verb

Talk a little bit about how this shapes up in terms of which party ultimately could have the advantage heading into the midterms. —NBC news, 2 Nov. 2025

Halloween is shaping up to be scarier than expected for Hollywood and its exhibition partners, but not in a good way. —Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 30 Oct. 2025

Top seeds There’s a sense of how the seedings for the upcoming boys and girls soccer state tournaments will shape up given the latest power rankings prior to Thursday’s cutoff date. —Greg Dudek, Boston Herald, 28 Oct. 2025

Though dinner is shaping up to redeem lunch’s disaster, Carlos is determined to rain on Josh’s parade. —Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 28 Oct. 2025