SHAPE UP Synonyms: 33 Similar and Opposite Words

shape (up) 1 of 2

verb (1)

Definition of shape (up)

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

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

How is 2026 shaping up to be for film and television in Oklahoma? — Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 8 July 2026 In Texas, a heated and expensive race has shaped up between Democrat James Talarico, a state representative who is facing Republican Ken Paxton, the state attorney general. — Justine McDaniel, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026 And after the nail-biting first finish, game two was shaping up to be just as close, with the pair going shot-for-shot until Chris Allen gave the Riot a 17-12 advantage — the largest of the matchup so far. — Ava Dicecca, Sun Sentinel, 5 July 2026 The standoff has laid the groundwork for what is shaping up to be this year's most anticipated corporate event in German industry, when Volkswagen's management will seek to win the approval of the firm's supervisory board on July 9. — Sam Meredith, CNBC, 2 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for shape (up)

Recent Examples of Synonyms for shape (up)

Verb

If done just right, the turf would grow together and form a cohesive, insulating layer.

— Amelia Soth, JSTOR Daily, 15 July 2026
Among them, Federico Duran has formed his own company, El Sol Ermitaño, but retains a stake in the 30-plus year old company.

— Anna Marie de la Fuente, Variety, 15 July 2026

Definition of form

Verb

Lawmakers have introduced bills to strengthen prevention programs, improve behavioral health services, regulate sober living environments and give local governments additional tools to respond to homelessness.

— Ray Bramson, Washington Post, 15 July 2026
Chen’s work focuses on using seismological data to improve methods to identify and monitor nuclear tests.

— Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 15 July 2026

Definition of improve

Verb

This left open the question of whether more complex, loopy geometries would behave differently, while also leaving competing historical theories yet to be disproved.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 13 July 2026
Equally noteworthy, but far less known, is the resort’s firm policy on how to handle guests behaving badly.

— Hannah Seligson, Vanity Fair, 13 July 2026

Definition of behave

Verb

Gomez was referring to a 2004 vote in which Congress amended the Telecommunications Act of 1996 to require the FCC to enforce a cap of 39 percent.

— Jon Brodkin, ArsTechnica, 15 July 2026
Flush Away Excess Fertilizer Hydrangeas thrive in nutrient-rich soil amended by compost or other organic matter.

— Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 15 July 2026

Definition of amend

Verb

Defensively, France has also only conceded twice so far – a record bettered only by Spain which has let in one goal.

— Ben Church, CNN Money, 14 July 2026
Workplace Pell expands long-standing education aid to cover shorter term programs that reflect changing demographics and job demands – as well as Americans' desire to better themselves.

— The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 13 July 2026

Definition of better

Verb

The parent plants from which the cuttings were taken should rapidly heal wounds, and make lots of new grow to reform often more compact plants.

— Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 July 2026
But Warsh has focused instead on reforming the central bank’s public messaging — mostly by demanding less of it.

— Benn Steil, Washington Post, 9 July 2026

Definition of reform

Browse Nearby Words

shapes up

shape (up)

shape up

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Shape (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shape%20%28up%29. Accessed 18 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of shape (up)

verb (1)

verb (2)

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

quid pro quo

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

Popular in Wordplay

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 17

Popular

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Games & Quizzes