as in formed
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
1
as in adapted
to change (something) so as to make it suitable for a new use or situation
a dress shaped to the customer's particular figure
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in designed
to work out the details of (something) in advance
over the winter the committee shaped the company's new marketing strategy
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 shaped
Keith Cooper, Space.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Clostridium botulinum is a rod-shaped, spore-forming bacterium that can produce botulinum toxins under low-oxygen conditions, according to the USDA.
—Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 21 Jan. 2026
The asymmetrical satin gown, with draping and a scarf neckline, was finished with a bow-shaped, silver-rhinestone bijou that became the roadmap.
—Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 12 Jan. 2026
Let’s examine the nuances of these revenue-sharing deals — and potential fallout when others inevitably go pear-shaped.
—Justin Williams, New York Times, 12 Jan. 2026
Internal shaping and weight removal might be necessary to prevent the haircut from looking bulky or square-shaped, Michael says.
—Grace McCarty, Glamour, 8 Jan. 2026
That's where things started to go pear shaped.
—New Atlas, 8 Jan. 2026
Plotted on a graph, McDonald says, the curve is J-shaped, indicating a rapid rise in severe cases.
—Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 13 Dec. 2025
Recipe Tips for Pecan Roll Candy Nougat can be made, shaped, and stored in the freezer for up to one month before dipping.
—Erin Merhar, Southern Living, 12 Dec. 2025
Los Angeles Times, 31 Jan. 2026
The footbed of these boots are shaped like a standard sneaker, but grippy Vibram outsoles provide the traction needed to remain safe on snowy, uneven terrain.
—Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 31 Jan. 2026
El Helicoide, a massive concrete structure in Caracas shaped like a three-sided pyramid, is owned by the Venezuelan state and has long been used by the Bolivarian National Intelligence Service as a detention and interrogation facility for common and political prisoners.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 31 Jan. 2026
Ultimately, the constant exposure to different cultures, markets, and teams shaped his personal leadership style as much as any title did.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 31 Jan. 2026
Together, the podcast and magazine situate Influential Women within a professional media landscape shaped by authority rather than immediacy.
—Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 31 Jan. 2026
The wilderness of Utah, coupled with the intimacy of the ski town, served and shaped the festival well for decades — and vice versa.
—Lisa Kennedy, Denver Post, 31 Jan. 2026
Ahead of the film‘s Sundance premiere, McKinley and stars Ethan Hawke, Julia Jones, and Austin Amelio visited the IndieWire Studio, presented by Dropbox, to break down the influences that shaped one of the festival’s most exciting films.
—Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 31 Jan. 2026
He was raised Roman Catholic but was shaped by Pentecostal worship with his grandmother.
—Stephanie Giang-Paunon , Rachel Wolf, FOXNews.com, 31 Jan. 2026
Adjective
The spacecraft saw an arching filament made from entwined magnetic fields carrying plasma and connected to a cross-shaped region of magnetic activity laced with more magnetic field lines.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Clostridium botulinum is a rod-shaped, spore-forming bacterium that can produce botulinum toxins under low-oxygen conditions, according to the USDA.
—Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 21 Jan. 2026
The asymmetrical satin gown, with draping and a scarf neckline, was finished with a bow-shaped, silver-rhinestone bijou that became the roadmap.
—Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 12 Jan. 2026
Let’s examine the nuances of these revenue-sharing deals — and potential fallout when others inevitably go pear-shaped.
—Justin Williams, New York Times, 12 Jan. 2026
Internal shaping and weight removal might be necessary to prevent the haircut from looking bulky or square-shaped, Michael says.
—Grace McCarty, Glamour, 8 Jan. 2026
That's where things started to go pear shaped.
—New Atlas, 8 Jan. 2026
Plotted on a graph, McDonald says, the curve is J-shaped, indicating a rapid rise in severe cases.
—Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 13 Dec. 2025
Recipe Tips for Pecan Roll Candy Nougat can be made, shaped, and stored in the freezer for up to one month before dipping.
—Erin Merhar, Southern Living, 12 Dec. 2025
Verb
McDonnell’s backers argue that the role of chief is apolitical, though many of his predecessors became national voices that shaped public safety policy.
—Los Angeles Times, 31 Jan. 2026
The footbed of these boots are shaped like a standard sneaker, but grippy Vibram outsoles provide the traction needed to remain safe on snowy, uneven terrain.
—Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 31 Jan. 2026
El Helicoide, a massive concrete structure in Caracas shaped like a three-sided pyramid, is owned by the Venezuelan state and has long been used by the Bolivarian National Intelligence Service as a detention and interrogation facility for common and political prisoners.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 31 Jan. 2026
Ultimately, the constant exposure to different cultures, markets, and teams shaped his personal leadership style as much as any title did.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 31 Jan. 2026
Together, the podcast and magazine situate Influential Women within a professional media landscape shaped by authority rather than immediacy.
—Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 31 Jan. 2026
The wilderness of Utah, coupled with the intimacy of the ski town, served and shaped the festival well for decades — and vice versa.
—Lisa Kennedy, Denver Post, 31 Jan. 2026
Ahead of the film‘s Sundance premiere, McKinley and stars Ethan Hawke, Julia Jones, and Austin Amelio visited the IndieWire Studio, presented by Dropbox, to break down the influences that shaped one of the festival’s most exciting films.
—Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 31 Jan. 2026
He was raised Roman Catholic but was shaped by Pentecostal worship with his grandmother.
—Stephanie Giang-Paunon , Rachel Wolf, FOXNews.com, 31 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shaped
Adjective
-
Both pre-formed vitamin A and provitamin A carotenoids are used in supplements.—
Mira Miller,
Verywell Health,
8 Dec. 2025
-
Excess intake of pre-formed vitamin A from animal sources or supplements can lead to toxicity, so moderation is essential—especially for pregnant people.—
Jillian Kubala,
Health,
25 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The company was born when a blacksmith named John Deere invented an early self-scouring steel plow adapted especially for the Midwest’s dense, clay-heavy soil.—
Anna Ortiz,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Jan. 2026
-
The beloved sitcom, adapted by Norman Lear from the British series Steptoe and Son, ran for six seasons on NBC from 1972 to ’77.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Front and center for the look was a blue corset worn as part of the custom Jean Paul Gaultier guest designed by Ludovic de Saint Serni look Charli wore to the 2025 Grammy Awards, per her stylist Chris Horan’s Instagram story.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
30 Jan. 2026
-
This new era will be defined by regional power blocs, industrial policy as national security and supply chains designed for trust, not just cost.—
Mark Minevich,
Forbes.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Vrabel adjusted the defense away from a blitz-happy scheme meant to rattle Broncos quarterback Jarrett Stidham.—
Chad Graff,
New York Times,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Sierra Canyon also adjusted at halftime and were quicker to the perimeter, chasing the Celts off the 3-point line.—
Justin Vigil Zuniga,
Daily News,
25 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Lutnick once planned a trip to Epstein’s private island in December 2012, according to email records.—
David Zimmermann,
The Washington Examiner,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Many other demonstrations were planned for students and others to gather at city centers, statehouses and churches across the country.—
KIMBERLEE KRUESI,
Arkansas Online,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Reconcept uses music paired with specific frequencies tailored to different physical and mental needs.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Considering Driving Habits and Daily Risks Insurance plans are meant to be tailored to each driver’s lifestyle.—
Ethan M. Stone,
Miami Herald,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Bloom also appointed a coach prepared to operate within the framework of the recruitment structure.—
Andy Naylor,
New York Times,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Area shelters received food that had already been prepared before the postponement in Milwaukee.—
Mike Fore,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Two years later, the developers submitted an alternative application for a 64-unit development that conformed to Saratoga’s General Plan and zoning.—
Nollyanne Delacruz,
Mercury News,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Authorities are looking into whether soundproofing material on the ceiling conformed with regulations and whether the candles were permitted for use in the bar.—
Geir Moulson,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shaped.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shaped. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
