Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

shape (up)

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of shape (up)

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 of shape (up)

crystallize (also crystalize), form, jell, solidify
Words Related to shape (up)

associate, coalesce, cohere, fuse

combine, conjoin, conjugate, connect, couple, join, link (up), unify, unite
Near Antonyms of shape (up)

break down, decay, decompose, disintegrate

shape up

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of shape up

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 of shape up

amend, mend, reform, straighten (up or out)
Words Related to shape up

behave, regenerate

better, improve
Phrases Synonymous with shape up

clean up one's act
Near Antonyms of shape up

backslide, regress

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up shape (up)? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show comments hide comments

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games