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
Brian Moylan, Vulture, 24 Apr. 2026
In this case, the team was able to use the cross-shaped manifestations of this quasar to determine the mass distribution of the stars J1453g to an unprecedented level of precision.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 14 Apr. 2026
Typically made of terracotta, the pots are usually tall and urn-shaped, but shorter, wider options are also available.
—ABC News, 7 Apr. 2026
The Swedish firm Ulf Mejergren even submitted a plan for topping the venerable structure with a giant cross-shaped swimming pool (which, if nothing else, would presumably minimize future fire risk).
—David A. Bell, The New York Review of Books, 4 Apr. 2026
The show will play on a cross-shaped stage, placing the audience in the heart of the action.
—Ryan Brennan
april 3, Charlotte Observer, 3 Apr. 2026
This year, my resistance was aided by unbetterable presses dedicated to literature in translation, like the Harvard Ukrainian Research Institute, whose books include prose as well as poetry, and Archipelago Books, a publisher of square-shaped, deliciously pastry-sized publications.
—Literary Hub, 1 Apr. 2026
Most massive galaxies are spiral or elliptical shaped.
—Big Think, 30 Mar. 2026
If the war goes pear-shaped, they will be poised to steer the party’s future.
—Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2026
Darlene Superville, Chicago Tribune, 9 May 2026
The address—which hosted a grand opening on March 25—is replete with institutions that have shaped the capital’s traditions of private hospitality.
—Ken Silverio, Robb Report, 9 May 2026
Mothers in Florida carry a unique kind of strength, shaped by sun, storms and a deep sense of community.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 9 May 2026
The 49ers selected defensive tackle Gracen Halton 107th overall in the 2026 NFL Draft, a pick shaped by mentorship from his godfather, nine-time MLB All-Star Gary Sheffield.
—Sacbee.com, 9 May 2026
They are actually shaped like the nests of bald-faced hornets.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 9 May 2026
The puck holder the Wild are using this time around is shaped like the Stanley Cup.
—Dane Mizutani, Twin Cities, 8 May 2026
The overnight sale — the version of Sundance that shaped (rightly or not) decades of filmmaker strategy — is now an outlier.
—Dana Harris-Bridson, IndieWire, 8 May 2026
Following Maduro’s capture, Venezuela has entered a volatile and highly managed political transition, one shaped as much by Washington as by internal dynamics.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 2 May 2026
Adjective
Then the whey is packed, shaped, and aged in caves like Batman’s Robin’s.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 24 Apr. 2026
In this case, the team was able to use the cross-shaped manifestations of this quasar to determine the mass distribution of the stars J1453g to an unprecedented level of precision.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 14 Apr. 2026
Typically made of terracotta, the pots are usually tall and urn-shaped, but shorter, wider options are also available.
—ABC News, 7 Apr. 2026
The Swedish firm Ulf Mejergren even submitted a plan for topping the venerable structure with a giant cross-shaped swimming pool (which, if nothing else, would presumably minimize future fire risk).
—David A. Bell, The New York Review of Books, 4 Apr. 2026
The show will play on a cross-shaped stage, placing the audience in the heart of the action.
—Ryan Brennan
april 3, Charlotte Observer, 3 Apr. 2026
This year, my resistance was aided by unbetterable presses dedicated to literature in translation, like the Harvard Ukrainian Research Institute, whose books include prose as well as poetry, and Archipelago Books, a publisher of square-shaped, deliciously pastry-sized publications.
—Literary Hub, 1 Apr. 2026
Most massive galaxies are spiral or elliptical shaped.
—Big Think, 30 Mar. 2026
If the war goes pear-shaped, they will be poised to steer the party’s future.
—Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2026
Verb
Zelenskyy said Ukraine’s decision on how to engage with those discussions was shaped in part by the prospect of freeing its prisoners.
—Darlene Superville, Chicago Tribune, 9 May 2026
The address—which hosted a grand opening on March 25—is replete with institutions that have shaped the capital’s traditions of private hospitality.
—Ken Silverio, Robb Report, 9 May 2026
Mothers in Florida carry a unique kind of strength, shaped by sun, storms and a deep sense of community.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 9 May 2026
The 49ers selected defensive tackle Gracen Halton 107th overall in the 2026 NFL Draft, a pick shaped by mentorship from his godfather, nine-time MLB All-Star Gary Sheffield.
—Sacbee.com, 9 May 2026
They are actually shaped like the nests of bald-faced hornets.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 9 May 2026
The puck holder the Wild are using this time around is shaped like the Stanley Cup.
—Dane Mizutani, Twin Cities, 8 May 2026
The overnight sale — the version of Sundance that shaped (rightly or not) decades of filmmaker strategy — is now an outlier.
—Dana Harris-Bridson, IndieWire, 8 May 2026
Following Maduro’s capture, Venezuela has entered a volatile and highly managed political transition, one shaped as much by Washington as by internal dynamics.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 2 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shaped
Adjective
-
When decisions arrive pre-formed, discernment fades.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
2 Mar. 2026
-
For a fresh look, add ornamental grasses, which create a more natural look than a formed hedge.—
Kelley Bruss,
Dallas Morning News,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Both Russia and Ukraine have also heavily employed first-person view (FPV) drones adapted from commercial racing models.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
8 May 2026
-
His writing on race at Gawker would later come to inform his 2023 Oscar-winning script for American Fiction, adapted from the Percival Everett novel Erasure.—
Frank DiGiacomo,
HollywoodReporter,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
Originally designed as a response to the Black Lives Matter protests and a call to keep armed police officers out of the Metro system, the agency deployed roughly three hundred ambassadors to stations and transit vehicles in the city’s core.—
Oren Peleg,
New Yorker,
9 May 2026
-
The Dodgers dropped outfielder Kyle Tucker to sixth in the lineup Friday, in a batting order Roberts said was designed to combat Atlanta Braves ace Chris Sale.—
Bill Shaikin,
Los Angeles Times,
9 May 2026
Verb
-
Over its 36-year lifespan, it’s been adjusted six times with little opposition.—
Sierra Lopez,
Mercury News,
4 May 2026
-
The first movie opened in June 2006 and would go on to earn over $326 million worldwide, not adjusted for inflation.—
Lindsey Bahr,
Fortune,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
On March 15th, while Hitler spoke from a palace balcony to hundreds of thousands of ecstatic Austrians, Heidi’s father planned escapes for his family.—
Nicholas Dawidoff,
New Yorker,
10 May 2026
-
That told me that the CTA planned — or at least hoped — to eventually extend the line from Midway to Ford City.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
9 May 2026
Verb
-
The program is tailored to teach children about saving and investing, and to encourage children and their families to build wealth for adulthood and retirement.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
10 May 2026
-
This year’s offerings include a diverse selection of athletic and enrichment programs tailored to different interests and age groups.—
Cullen Gibson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 May 2026
Verb
-
Don’t leave without ordering the bread pudding for dessert, which is prepared in a deep fryer and is the perfect consistency.—
Anna Katherine Clemmons,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
-
The proposal would burden doctors with giving parents a highly detailed consent statement to be prepared by boards of medicine and osteopathic medicine, and forbid health authorities to order vaccinations during outbreaks of familiar or new deadly diseases.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The museum has also allegedly not conformed to the Uniform Prudent Management of Institutional Funds Act (UPMIFA), which requires trustees to manage an endowment so that its spending power is maintained.—
Brian Boucher,
ARTnews.com,
29 Apr. 2026
-
According to a person with knowledge of the situation, Foster’s dual roles were reviewed by the National Football League Players Association to make sure the situation conformed with the NFLPA’s regulations governing contract advisors.—
Daniel Libit,
Sportico.com,
22 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shaped.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shaped. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
