SHAPED UP Synonyms: 33 Similar and Opposite Words

shaped (up) 1 of 2

verb (1)

Definition of shaped (up) next

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

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 If Joe Burrow were playing, this could have shaped up to be a barnburner a la December along the Ohio River. —

Joe Nguyen, Denver Post, 29 Sep. 2025 The race had shaped up as one of the best of the 35 runnings of the Pacific Classic after Repole and Pletcher decided to ship Fierceness out from New York and lead owner Aron Wellman and trainer McCarthy opted to keep Journalism in California. —

Kevin Modesti, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Aug. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for shaped (up)

Verb

The top professional sports leagues formed a coalition with some broadcasters, including NBC and Fox, three years ago and agreed that betting should be marketed only to fans of legal age and that excessive gambling should not be promoted.

— Luke Connors, Washington Post, 19 May 2026
And whatever rifts had formed in his relationship with Altman were largely absent from social media.

— Ashley Capoot,Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 18 May 2026