Synonyms of shaped (up)

shaped (up) 1 of 2

verb (1)

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

• formed
• connected
• crystallized
• linked (up)
• solidified
• joined
• combined
• jelled
• fused
• coupled
• united
• associated
• cohered
• coalesced
• unified
• conjugated
• conjoined

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• decomposed
• broke down
• disintegrated
• decayed

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

• straightened (up or out)
• improved
• amended
• behaved
• cleaned up one's act
• reformed
• regenerated
• mended
• bettered

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• regressed
• backslid

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of shaped (up)

Verb

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

Throw in an attempt to help part of Illinois secede and join the Hoosier state and visits from everyone from Tucker Carlson to JD Vance, and 2025 has shaped up to be quite a barn burner. — Hayleigh Colombo, IndyStar, 24 Oct. 2025