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
All Elite Wrestling’s (AEW) first Clockwork Carnage is shaping up to be a hard-hitting affair. — Ryan Gaydos Outkick, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2026 The movie is now shaping up to be one of the biggest studio bombs ever considering its budget was north of $160 million. — Zack Sharf, Variety, 7 Oct. 2026 The British pop singer had a major breakthrough last year after winning Best New Artist, and is already shaping up to be a Grammy favorite. — Jaeden Pinder, Rolling Stone, 7 Oct. 2026 The 2026 campaign is shaping up as a referendum on the power of money in American politics. — ABC News, 7 Oct. 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
  • Hundreds of millions of dollars have been routed through political groups that do not disclose their donors, including pop-up super PACs that form and spend late in races, CBS News has reported.
    — Gabe Kaminsky, CBS News, 7 Oct. 2026
  • The images formed a grim honor guard in the main hallway at Ben Gurion Airport, and were the last thing a foreign visitor would see before boarding a flight home.
    — Charlene Gubash, NBC news, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of form
Verb
  • The company is reviewing costs, operations, and portfolio of brands to improve performance.
    — Diane Brady, Fortune, 14 Oct. 2026
  • But Hall and Woodford, in separate contributions, set about improving the Keynesian model to take into account how consumers and businesses actually make decisions about whether to invest and spend.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of improve
Verb
  • Their primary role has been to assess AI model capabilities and risks and to flag instances where the technology behaves badly.
    — Ashley Capoot, CNBC, 11 Oct. 2026
  • The snow pile in the parking lot Heat can behave in surprising ways.
    — Moones Alamooti, The Conversation, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of behave
Verb
  • Going forward, the audit asks the Legislature to amend state law to provide clear instruction that prohibits state workers from regularly teleworking outside of California.
    — Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 7 Oct. 2026
  • But the city’s Finance, Governance and Public Safety Committee on Tuesday amended the map to remove portions of the 3rd District — which is the district the Chiefs and Royals are leaving for their new stadiums.
    — Dylan Lysen, Kansas City Star, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of amend
Verb
  • Thompson continued to make his case that years in Congress give him the experience and influence needed to better the district.
    — Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 8 Oct. 2026
  • His hopes for The Situation is to better the experience of other disadvantaged creatives climbing the ranks today.
    — Joe Bobowicz, Vogue, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of better
Verb
  • In addition to easing federal regulations, the bill also encourages states and cities to reform their land-use rules, which would mark a significant change in the federalist system with respect to city planning.
    — Zach Halaschak, The Washington Examiner, 5 Oct. 2026
  • To continue Francis' push to reform the Vatican bureaucracy, the Curia.
    — Scott Detrow, NPR, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of reform

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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 14 Oct. 2026.

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