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
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 The change in plans shaped up to be a huge hit. CBS News, 10 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shaped (up)
Verb
  • For watering, fill the central cup formed by the plant’s leaves with fresh water, as the plant absorbs moisture through its foliage.
    Amelia Mularz, Architectural Digest, 22 July 2026
  • Likewise, The New York Times's Sydney Schanberg also took a room and would go on to coauthor the story—alongside photographer Dith Pran—that formed the basis of the award-winning film The Killing Fields.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 July 2026
Verb
  • Things slowly improved as drummers were encouraged at Arrowhead, but even a big turnout of 20,000 fans looked tiny in a stadium that could seat four times that number.
    Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 24 July 2026
  • Lathan is one of four returning starters for Kansas and there’s optimism the defense will be improved.
    Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 July 2026
Verb
  • But, citing a need for competition and consumer choice, Accra amended Next Gen Infraco’s license in March.
    Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 17 July 2026
  • The difficulty is that Congress has repeatedly amended these rules over the last century.
    Andy J. Semotiuk, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
Verb
  • This pasta behaved just like the regular stuff, just as tasty on its own as it was coated in tomato sauce.
    Alaina Chou, Bon Appetit Magazine, 21 July 2026
  • First, the team analyzed how the signal behaved across Titan's disk.
    Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 20 July 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 24 Jul. 2026.

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