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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 shaped (up)
Verb
House Democratic leadership declared victory before midnight Tuesday, putting the finishing touches on what shaped up to be a historic night for Democrats. — Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 4 Nov. 2026 Tuesday has shaped up quite nicely, weather-wise, across North Texas. — Lauren Bostwick, CBS News, 27 Oct. 2026 Frost, who led Nebraska to two national titles as a quarterback, likes the way his quarterback room has shaped up over the past eight months. — Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Aug. 2026 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shaped (up)
Verb
  • During the first lithium plating, a three-dimensional textured region containing tin and lithium-tin formed within the interlayer.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Originally cast in 2023 as a contestant for the K-pop reality show that formed Katseye, she was booted out early partly because—despite becoming a fan favorite in Netflix’s subsequent docuseries—the judges sensed she was destined for solo stardom.
    — Liam Hess, Vogue, 4 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • The researchers further found that UQ-DAAAM improved the accuracy of answers to questions about objects, their locations, and when the robot last encountered them.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Researchers in China found that repeatedly applying gentle pressure to the shinbones of elderly mice improved their strength, coordination, and performance on memory tests.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 6 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • Despite frustration that the Legislature amended his original plan by protecting property taxes for schools, the governor still advocated for the amendment.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 4 Nov. 2026
  • The amendment asked voters whether the Minnesota Constitution should be amended to increase the funding going to all school districts from the permanent school fund.
    — Jason Rantala, CBS News, 4 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • Photo courtesy of Elsberry Riding and Farm HeeHaw's owner, Hannah Michelle Israel, has said the donkey was gentle and had never behaved aggressively.
    — Christopher Harris, CBS News, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Comment sections were filled with glib condemnations of relatives who had behaved idiotically after exposure.
    — Téa Obreht, New Yorker, 1 Nov. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Shaped (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shaped%20%28up%29. Accessed 8 Nov. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!