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
Relevance
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
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Recent Examples of shape (up)
Braidon Nourse, Denver Post, 23 Feb. 2026
This was shaping up to be an intriguing presentation.
—Literary Hub, 20 Feb. 2026
The summer is shaping up to be one of or the highest-grossing summers ever.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 20 Feb. 2026
The 12-round bout shapes up as a crossroads fight for both boxers.
—John Whisler, San Antonio Express-News, 20 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shape (up)
Verb
Still, an inaugural two-goal loss against what is shaping up to be a Western Conference power could have been worse for a young coach and a particularly young starting lineup.
—Braidon Nourse, Denver Post, 23 Feb. 2026
This was shaping up to be an intriguing presentation.
—Literary Hub, 20 Feb. 2026
The summer is shaping up to be one of or the highest-grossing summers ever.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 20 Feb. 2026
The 12-round bout shapes up as a crossroads fight for both boxers.
—John Whisler, San Antonio Express-News, 20 Feb. 2026
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 1 Mar. 2026.
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