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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shape (up)
Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Aug. 2025
The Rare Eau de Parfum is shaping up to be one of my biggest perfume surprises.
—Fiona Embleton, Glamour, 7 Aug. 2025
The beginning of ninth grade was already shaping up to be a bumpy transition for then-14-year-old Elliott.
—Odette Yousef, NPR, 6 Aug. 2025
The general election is shaping up to be a showdown between Cooper and Republican National Committee Chair Michael Whatley, who is running with the blessing of President Trump.
—Miriam Waldvogel, The Hill, 25 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for shape (up)
Verb
Friday's preseason matchup between the Detroit Lions and Atlanta Falcons was shaping up to potentially have an exciting finish, but disaster struck early in the fourth quarter that saw the game suspended by the NFL.
—Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Aug. 2025
The Rare Eau de Parfum is shaping up to be one of my biggest perfume surprises.
—Fiona Embleton, Glamour, 7 Aug. 2025
The beginning of ninth grade was already shaping up to be a bumpy transition for then-14-year-old Elliott.
—Odette Yousef, NPR, 6 Aug. 2025
The general election is shaping up to be a showdown between Cooper and Republican National Committee Chair Michael Whatley, who is running with the blessing of President Trump.
—Miriam Waldvogel, The Hill, 25 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 22 Aug. 2025.
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