shaped (up) 1 of 2

past tense of shape (up)
as in formed
to take on a definite form this group of summer interns is shaping up to be one of the best we've ever hired

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shaped up

2 of 2

verb (2)

past tense of shape up
as in straightened (up or out)
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

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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 (up)
Verb
Stacey Barchenger Warren Petersen and Rodney Glassman crisscrossed the state for more than a year courting Republican voters in what shaped up to be a bruising primary election race. Arizona Republic, AZCentral.com, 21 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 The home has shaped up since then. Vaishnavi Nayel Talawadekar, Architectural Digest, 4 June 2026 Like so many Bay Area voters, Wagner opted to hold his vote and watch how the close race for governor shaped up — particularly on the Democratic side, where a throng of candidates competed fiercely for voters and resisted the calls of party leaders to drop out. Grant Stringer, Mercury News, 2 June 2026 The battle shaped up with 2,800 Americans facing 8,000 Hessians (mercenary soldiers from six German territories in the Holy Roman Empire. Richard Lederer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 May 2026 Carl Wilson held a lead Tuesday night in the special election for a City Council seat on Manhattan’s West Side against Lindsey Boylan, in what has shaped up as a proxy battle in the ongoing power struggle between Mayor Mamdani and Council Speaker Julie Menin. Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 29 Apr. 2026 After the cold open, however, the episode shaped up to be a solid one. Charu Sinha, Vulture, 15 Mar. 2026 Saturday’s matchup shaped up to be another back-and-forth affair. Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shaped (up)
Verb
  • When Iraola left Mirandes and was appointed as head coach of another second-tier side, Rayo Vallecano, De la Torre formed part of his backroom staff as the fitness coach.
    Andy Jones, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Residents formed a group chat to document Wiley's behavior with cell phones and door cameras.
    Alys Martinez, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Paul Taylor Sunderland Sunderland’s pre-season has gradually improved, as defeats to Liverpool and Leeds have given way to encouraging performances, and wins, against Wrexham and Lens.
    Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Mike Salmon's health improved so much under hospice care that he got kicked out.
    Kim Clark, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Later, in 2020, the Children's Trust was amended to allow the Kittrells' son to transfer the trust assets to another trust (including another trust created by the Kittrells), subject to the Kittrells' consent.
    Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Dorsey has said the charter should be amended to give the mayor and City Council more governing flexibility.
    Joseph Landers, Baltimore Sun, 6 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • But the second, subdominant charge density wave, behaved very differently.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Unlike most six‑figure exotics that depreciate as predictably as the setting sun, the 911 has behaved like a blue‑chip asset, giving owners confidence that their purchase rested on unusually solid financial ground.
    Michael Harley, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Shaped (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shaped%20%28up%29. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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