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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shape (up)
Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 13 May 2026
The first-ever Thanksgiving Eve game shapes up to be a good one with the Rams and the Packers.
—Andrew Marchand, New York Times, 13 May 2026
So Sacramento’s increase for 2026 could shape up to be another outlier for the state, but this time in the wrong direction.
—Robin Epley, Sacbee.com, 13 May 2026
Two candidates are running for Iowa House District 40 in Des Moines and Altoona in what is shaping up to be a rematch of a 2024 contest that was razor-thin.
—Stephen Gruber-Miller, Des Moines Register, 12 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for shape (up)
Verb
Housing affordability, healthcare, and energy are the crux of the framework, which have already shaped up to be major factors in the 2026 elections.
—Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 13 May 2026
The first-ever Thanksgiving Eve game shapes up to be a good one with the Rams and the Packers.
—Andrew Marchand, New York Times, 13 May 2026
So Sacramento’s increase for 2026 could shape up to be another outlier for the state, but this time in the wrong direction.
—Robin Epley, Sacbee.com, 13 May 2026
Two candidates are running for Iowa House District 40 in Des Moines and Altoona in what is shaping up to be a rematch of a 2024 contest that was razor-thin.
—Stephen Gruber-Miller, Des Moines Register, 12 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for shape (up)
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shape (up)
Verb
-
Tucked within the famous wildflower meadows of Paradise is a view of Mount Rainier (the national park is one of our favorite Seattle day trips) and the sprawling Nisqually Glacier that forms the volcano's south side.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
12 May 2026
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Budget-conscious passengers, many of them young, formed a seemingly endless security line snaking around the rotunda, which features a twelve-foot-high mural depicting the history of flight.—
John Cassidy,
New Yorker,
11 May 2026
Verb
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Fu also stressed that more work needs to be done to boost domestic demand, urging businesses to improve their offerings to attract consumers.—
Anniek Bao,Evelyn Cheng,
CNBC,
18 May 2026
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The Sparks fell to 1-3 (tied with Seattle for last place in the Western Conference) while Toronto improved to 2-2.—
Steve Galluzzo,
Los Angeles Times,
18 May 2026
Verb
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This created a plasma that behaves like an oscillating mirror, and subsequent lasers hitting it are like hitting a mirror moving toward you at nearly the speed of light.—
Ameya Paleja,
Interesting Engineering,
14 May 2026
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The cycle is iterative and ongoing, shaped less by isolated milestones and more by how systems behave over time.—
Matt Emma,
USA Today,
12 May 2026
Verb
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Much more likely is that the Virginia Democrats will have to try again in the next election cycle with another vote to amend the state constitution and another referendum to try to get voters to draw a more aggressive map.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
15 May 2026
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According to a report from the National Conference of State Legislatures, lawmakers in at least 28 of the states with tax incentives have introduced proposals to substantially amend the existing tax breaks.—
Jake Angelo,
Fortune,
14 May 2026
Verb
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Morton also went 3-2 as a starter in the playoffs with the Cowboys and 5-5 for his career, matching White (5-5) and bettering Romo (2-4), Prescott (2-5) and Meredith (1-3).—
Jim Barnes,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 May 2026
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Her 13th place there is unlikely to be bettered at the real thing.—
Jon O'Brien,
Vulture,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
Another season has brought valuable learning experiences for a team who were only reformed in 2018.—
Cerys Jones,
New York Times,
17 May 2026
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When asked, Bianco noted that the state needs to reform the educational system by removing school leadership rather than laying off teachers.—
James Ward,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shape (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shape%20%28up%29. Accessed 19 May. 2026.
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