as in formed
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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
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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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shaped
Mario Diloreto, Hartford Courant, 18 Feb. 2026
The flowers are small, reddish-pink, and spike-shaped, growing in tight clusters on tapered stems, accompanied by attractive waxy leaves.
—Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 9 Feb. 2026
The tabletop sits on a sturdy cross-shaped base and resists scratches and stains.
—Jacqueline Tempera, Better Homes & Gardens, 31 Jan. 2026
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
That's where things started to go pear shaped.
—New Atlas, 8 Jan. 2026
Allen Buchanan, Oc Register, 21 Feb. 2026
His experience in electric arc furnace (EAF) steelmaking, where scrap became the foundation of a domestic manufacturing revolution, shaped his view of solar waste not as disposal, but as feedstock.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 20 Feb. 2026
The country’s longtime dictator, Mobutu Sese Seko, had been overthrown, and a new order was being shaped under the rebel leader Laurent-Désiré Kabila.
—Nicolas Niarchos, Vanity Fair, 20 Feb. 2026
My life has been shaped by my love of bringing people together and hot pot is the ultimate manifestation of this desire.
—Natasha Pickowicz, Vogue, 20 Feb. 2026
But even this state-of-the-art model couldn’t directly account for the subtle cumulative effects of clouds, which can span just meters and be shaped by even tinier zephyrs of air.
—Quanta Magazine, 20 Feb. 2026
Outside of her work in events, Adrienne created Adrienne Rose Unfolded, a platform shaped by her own life transitions.
—Jason Phillips, USA Today, 20 Feb. 2026
After more than two years of war, life in Gaza is still shaped by loss and displacement.
—Literary Hub, 20 Feb. 2026
Unusually shaped or sized windows are often hard to find curtains for among the standard sizes sold by most retailers.
—Lyssanoel Frater, jsonline.com, 20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
Connecticut high school football lost one of its true giants with the passing of Coach Jude Kelly — a man who transformed programs, shaped communities, and changed lives.
—Mario Diloreto, Hartford Courant, 18 Feb. 2026
The flowers are small, reddish-pink, and spike-shaped, growing in tight clusters on tapered stems, accompanied by attractive waxy leaves.
—Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 9 Feb. 2026
The tabletop sits on a sturdy cross-shaped base and resists scratches and stains.
—Jacqueline Tempera, Better Homes & Gardens, 31 Jan. 2026
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
That's where things started to go pear shaped.
—New Atlas, 8 Jan. 2026
Verb
An owner’s expectations may be shaped by yesterday’s market rather than today’s.
—Allen Buchanan, Oc Register, 21 Feb. 2026
His experience in electric arc furnace (EAF) steelmaking, where scrap became the foundation of a domestic manufacturing revolution, shaped his view of solar waste not as disposal, but as feedstock.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 20 Feb. 2026
The country’s longtime dictator, Mobutu Sese Seko, had been overthrown, and a new order was being shaped under the rebel leader Laurent-Désiré Kabila.
—Nicolas Niarchos, Vanity Fair, 20 Feb. 2026
My life has been shaped by my love of bringing people together and hot pot is the ultimate manifestation of this desire.
—Natasha Pickowicz, Vogue, 20 Feb. 2026
But even this state-of-the-art model couldn’t directly account for the subtle cumulative effects of clouds, which can span just meters and be shaped by even tinier zephyrs of air.
—Quanta Magazine, 20 Feb. 2026
Outside of her work in events, Adrienne created Adrienne Rose Unfolded, a platform shaped by her own life transitions.
—Jason Phillips, USA Today, 20 Feb. 2026
After more than two years of war, life in Gaza is still shaped by loss and displacement.
—Literary Hub, 20 Feb. 2026
Unusually shaped or sized windows are often hard to find curtains for among the standard sizes sold by most retailers.
—Lyssanoel Frater, jsonline.com, 20 Feb. 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
-
This editorial has been adapted from one that originally appeared in The New York Daily News.—
The Orlando Sentinel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Why has Emerald Fennell adapted one of the more chasmic and ambitious tragedies in English literature into a poppy, gooey, thuddingly literal work of sexy fan fiction?—
Sophie Gilbert,
The Atlantic,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
This house, like the rest of Korakia, is impeccably designed and is perfect for a group stay or an extended family get together (note–the main resort is 13 and older, but Auric House is all-age and family-friendly).—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Feb. 2026
-
The company designed the vehicle to move quickly across rough terrain.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
To capture the look and feel of the first season of the show, Selman says that the animators adjusted the visual style for the opening sequence.—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
16 Feb. 2026
-
The statement also said air traffic control operation delays were affecting departures and arrivals and flight schedules would have to be adjusted.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Güell’s vision was to build an estate for affluent families—Gaudí planned 60 homes, a market, and gardens inspired by British parks (which explains the English spelling of the Catalan word parc), but the scheme never took off.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Hoping for the best, the astronauts went into pre-flight medical quarantine at the Johnson Space Center on Friday evening and planned to fly to the Kennedy Space Center on March 1 to prepare for launch.—
William Harwood,
CBS News,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Services include hot stone therapy, classic Swedish massage, aromatherapy massages, and facials tailored to each guest.—
José Cantillo Ferrer,
Condé Nast Traveler,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Robotic missions are cheaper, they can be tailored to meet the limitations of the current technology, and there isn't nearly the same level of risk involved.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Prioritize your safety by staying informed and prepared.—
Southern California Weather Report,
Daily News,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Residents were prepared with Ziploc bags full of change, and the runners would give Mardi Gras beads in return for money.—
Carlie Procell,
USA Today,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Martin highlighted the findings, which mostly conformed to his expectations but still surprised him in the magnitude of the angst over the work situationship.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
11 Feb. 2026
-
But sanctions, as a tool, only work some of the time, and US sanctions on Iran have not always conformed to what experts consider best practices.—
James Sneed,
NPR,
6 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shaped.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shaped. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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